In our daily routines, the question is not if we will interact with survivors of violence or abuse, but when. With the rates of victimization as high as they are, we already know, love, and serve survivors whether we realize it or not.

The mission of Freetail Advocacy, is not to have every ministry and organization leader become victim advocate professionals, but to feel empowered and prepared for how to respond to victimization disclosures and organizational concerns. This in addition to creating more welcoming and trauma-informed spaces. Freetail is here to help have the difficult conversations about victimization and abuse and remove anxieties surrounding how to respond. You are already serving your communities, I want to assist in your mission.

In 2023, a decades long situation involving organizational abuse and neglect in an organization dear to my family came to light. It not only impacted us, but many others that we loved and cared for. Though I was no longer involved in this organization, many we knew who still serve were left reeling. We heard so many express they felt like they did not have any guidance, support, or clear direction on how to respond. Several outside individuals also stepped forward, contacted survivors, gained their trust, and then used those connections to their advantage. These individuals went as far as to use survivors' stories without their permission. This not only revictimized the survivors, but hurt those supporting them. The damage also reached those still in the organization who were not offenders and were still there for right motives.

For years, I had had dreams of assisting ministers and other organization leaders in supporting survivors and creating welcoming and trauma-informed spaces. Part of institutional abuse that is not talked about often is what to do with beliefs that you were taught in the institution that you still believe. For me, I fully believed that love finds a need and meets it. Though that saying now had a hue of grief covering it, I still believed it. Because of this, I want to step alongside your organization, ministry, etc., learn about and support your mission, and help create welcoming and trauma-informed spaces.

Why Freetail? Long story short - it’s about bats.

I am located in Central Texas which is home to some of the world’s largest colonies of Free-Tailed Bats. They live in caves, under highways, and in abandoned buildings and when they come out at dusk to eat they fly out together. This creates a huge mass that looks like a cloud rising into the cloud. Together they make a noticeable difference in their environment.

As a single advocate, there is only so much that I can do. Often I am only able to serve those looking for assistance. Those in advocacy and victim services need those serving their communities involved in the response to serve survivors. Together we can make a noticeable difference in our environments.

Also like bats, the topics that need discussing are not always the prettiest. But that cannot stop us from having these conversations. Silence leads to confusion and often operates as a welcome sign to those looking for a place to offend.

So yes, it’s about bats.