Episode Summary
Building A Life of Hope, After Trauma. Her Travels and Journey. Her life story is one marked by profound trauma, resilience, and an inspiring quest to build a life of hope. From a childhood shadowed by abuse to a series of harrowing experiences in adulthood, her journey has taken her across states, from California to Colorado, Wyoming, and finally settling in Montana. Through travel, reflection, and a commitment to healing, Colleen "Co Co" Issa has faced the lingering effects of PTSD head-on, sharing her recovery process openly on platforms like the "Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast", which is available on their website for free in addition to Apple Podcasts and Spotify, as well as through other podcast platforms. Follow the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Newsbreak, Medium and most all social media platforms. A Childhood of Trauma Colleen stated that her early years were defined by a father who was both physically and sexually abusive, a pedophile whose actions left deep scars. She recalls reporting this to a therapist later in life, only to learn that too much time had passed for legal action. The trauma didn’t end with her; her sister, also a victim of this violence, struggled with alcoholism and fatal illnesses worsened by her pain, ultimately taking her own life on January 26, 2024. For Colleen, confirmation of her worst memories came during a conversation with her sibling, a revelation that cemented the shared horror of their past. Look for supporting stories about this and much more from Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast in platforms like Medium, Newsbreak and Blogspot. At 15, Colleen fled this toxic environment, but the world beyond offered little reprieve. Life grew tougher as she faced further assaults: a rape by a girlfriend’s boyfriend, which she never officially reported, and another at 21, outside in the bitter winter cold. Passersby saw the latter attack but drove on, leaving her alone. The perpetrator was later arrested and charged with third-degree sexual assault, a resolution that felt inadequate for the suffering endured. Building A Life of Hope, After Trauma. Her Travels and Journey. The interview is available as a free podcast on the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and podcast website, also available on platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and most major podcast outlets. The Toll of Trauma and the Seeds of Hope Colleen’s experiences reflect a grim reality faced by many survivors of interpersonal violence. Studies reveal that 6% of American youth experience sexual victimization annually, with rates soaring to 16% for adolescents aged 14-17 in the past year and 28% over their lifetimes. Girls, in particular, bear a heavier burden, with lifetime prevalence rates of sexual assault reaching 17% for those aged 14-17, compared to 4% for boys. These statistics underscore the pervasive nature of such trauma, and its lasting echo in conditions like PTSD. Follow the Law