Conference Schedule

Sibling Sexual Trauma & Abuse: Breaking the Silence
June 23, 2026
Presented by 5WAVES, Inc.
Long Island University-Post Campus
full conference information here
Register Here


Conference Schedule
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Click on the session title for full description of presentation and presenter bio.
All events in LIU-Post, Hillwood Commons, unless otherwise indicated.
​​8:15-9:00 Lobby Arrival & Registration
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9:00-9:15 Theater Welcome & Opening Remarks: Jane Epstein, 5WAVES Cofounders & Conference Planners
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9:15-10:15 Theater Keynote Speech: Telling Our Stories: Shaping Change Together Risa Shaw, PhD
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10:15-10:30 Lobby Break
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10:30-12:00 Session I Breakouts
I-A Theater
1. Reimagining Healing: What Thriving Looks Like for Survivors of Sibling Sexual Assault
Katelyn Bleigh
2. The Long Road: How a Survivor and Partner Learn, Stumble, and Grow Together
Heidi & Dave Yewman
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I-B Classroom TBA
1. Creciendo con Amor/Growing with Love
Lupita Najera
2. Panel: A Pivotal Moment: Experiences and Effects of Disclosure Reactions for Survivors
Risa Shaw (moderator), Aaron, Annie, Chase
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I-C Classroom TBA
1. Sibling Sexual Abuse: A Unique Intrafamilial Trauma
Tova Lewin, BA
2a. Framing Sibling Sexual Behavior for Frontline Workers
Maria Socolof, MS
2b. Bringing Together Research and Advocacy on All Forms of Sibling Abuse
Tanya Rouleau Whitworth, PhD and Leslie Abrons, LCSW
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12:00-1:00 Fishbowl Lunch Break
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1:00-2:30 Session II Breakouts
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II-A Theater
1. Panel: The Mind-Body Connection: Healing the Somatic Effects of Sexual Trauma
Maria Socolof (moderator), Colleen, Claire
Chase Henry, Certified Peer Specialist
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II-B Classroom TBA
1a. Sibling Sexual Abuse: The Silence, The Stigma, and a Survivor's Truth
Jean Donahue
1b. When a Shared Parent Dies: Another Layer of Pain, Another Layer of Healing
Katie Grant, MS, LCPC, LMHC, EMDR Approved Consultant
2. Finding Your Voice to Break the Silence
Lucy :) Inman
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II-C Classroom TBA
1. Panel: Caught in the Crossfire: Parental Voices on System Responses to SSTA
Brandy Black (moderator), Nikki, Jessica, Grace, Joseph
2. Navigating the Storm: Parents Supporting their Children & Healing After Sibling Sexual Trauma
Bridget Meranda, MSW, LCSW, RPT™
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2:30-3:00 Lobby Break
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3:00-4:30 Session III Breakouts
III-A Theater
1. Writing Narratives as a Healing Practice
Amanda Lee Brush
2. Panel: Transforming Pain into Prevention: Survivors' Pathways to Education & Advocacy
Diane Tarantini (moderator), Colleen, Kimberly, Shariea
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III-B Classroom TBA
1. Modern Day Forgiveness: Forgive for You, Not Them
Brinn Langdale, LMFT
Darlene Lekowski
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III-C Classroom TBA
1. Realities of Separation & Reunification in Sibling Sexual Abuse
Jacqueline (Jacque) Page, Psy.D.
2. Speak Out for Hope: A Family's Story of Transformation
S. Grace Wine, PhD, Joseph Wine, LPC, Katelyn Bleigh
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4:40-5:00 Theater Closing Remarks & Call to Action​​​​​
Special Thanks to Our Sponsors!
(Interested in becoming a sponsor? Learn more here.)
Major Sponsors

Conference Wellness Sponsor
clinically proven tools and resources, empowering survivors and others to protect, heal, and overcome
Seed Money Spark Sponsor
Anonymous, in honor of Risa Shaw and Not Child's Play
book, art, and more​

Tell Your Story ASL-English Interpretation Sponsor
Cindy Darcy, in honor of her mother, Evelyn Darcy Grender
Coffee and Conversation Connection Sponsors

Tough Topics Mom I Said No!



a community for survivors by survivors
Diane Tarantini, Everyone Was Silent
​Exhibit Table Sponsors​
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Darlene Lekowski Shattering Silence
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Brinn Langdale, LMFT Everything Makes Perfect Sense
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Bridget's Empowerment Solutions Rosie's Big Secret
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People First, Always LLC/Waves of Worth Trauma Informed Coaching, Apparel, Don't Say Dumb Shit: Surviving a Parent's Worst Nightmare
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Stop It Now! together we can stop the sexual abuse of children
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Shared Promo Table Sponsors​
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Barbra Drizin, LLC Family Conflict and Estrangement Coaching & Teaching
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Unsilenced: Reclaiming Our Voices Rewriting Our Power Nubia Duvall Wilson

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