Jennifer Storm

Jennifer Storm
Storm in 2017
Storm in 2017
Born (1975-05-07) May 7, 1975 (age 49)
Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Occupation
EducationPennsylvania State University (BS)
University of Phoenix (MA)
Notable worksBlackout Girl
Website
jenniferstorm.com

Jennifer Storm (born May 7, 1975) is a victims' rights expert and author[1] who has written about alcohol and drug addiction and recovery. She is the former victim advocate of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,[2] who served after being appointed by Governor Tom Corbett in 2013.[3] She was unanimously confirmed by the Pennsylvania State Senate and sworn in for a six-year term on December 20, 2013.[4]

Storm has documented her struggles with addiction in several books, including a second edition of Blackout Girl: Tracing My Scars from Addiction and Sexual Assault: With New and Updated Content for the #Metoo Era,[5] Awakening Blackout Girl: A Survivors Guide for Healing from Addiction and Sexual Trauma,[6] which recently appeared in Marie Claire magazine,[7] along with past publications Blackout Girl: Growing Up and Drying Out in America, Leave the Light On, and Picking Up the Pieces Without Picking Up.[8] Storm began drinking at the age of 12 and became an alcoholic by the time she was 15.[9]

Storm is internationally known, having appeared on various national talk shows, radio programs, newspapers and magazine articles including The Today Show, World News Tonight with Diane Sawyer, People magazine, and Good Day LA.[10][11][12]

Storm frequently writes for publications such as Parenting,[13] The Fix,[14] Elephant Journal,[15] Healthy Women[16] and more as an expert on sexual assault, substance use disorder, and trauma recovery. She has appeared in more than a dozen podcasts.[17]

She participated in the first ever Tedx Talk inside a female state prison,[18] at State Correctional Institution – Muncy in Muncy, Pennsylvania,  where she shared her harrowing story of addiction and recovery

Early life and education

Storm was born and raised near Allentown, Pennsylvania and attended Northampton Area High School in Northampton, Pennsylvania. She graduated from Penn State University with a BS in rehabilitation services and a master's degree in organizational management from the University of Phoenix.[19]

Office of Victim Advocate

During her time as Pennsylvania's Victim Advocate, Storm discussed several high profile cases, including:

Jerry Sandusky trial

Further information: Penn State child sex abuse scandal

Storm served as a victim advocate during the Jerry Sandusky case.[20]

Bill Cosby trial

Storm was regularly interviewed by the press during the Cosby Trial, advocating for Cosby's accusers.[21] When the initial trial ended in a mistrial, Storm spoke out regarding the problematic role of unfamiliar language in sexual assault cases.[22]

After the verdict's announcement, Storm commended the Montgomery County District Attorney's office for their diligent work during both trials.[23]

When some of Cosby's accusers were denied the opportunity to speak in court, Storm held a press conference for the women, allowing them to publicly share their stories.[21]

Pennsylvania Catholic Church scandal

In 2018, Storm advocated for victims of Pennsylvania's Catholic Church sexual abuse scandal in Harrisburg, Pa.[24] She voiced criticism when the Church attempted to limit the statute of limitations for victims.[25]

Memoir series

Blackout Girl: Growing Up and Drying Out in America

Storm's first book, Blackout Girl: Growing Up and Drying Out in America, was published in 2008 by Hazelden. The book discusses alcohol and sexual abuse[9] in the LGBT community.[26] The memoir was voted one of the best top forty adult non-fiction books published in 2008 by the Pennsylvanian School Librarians Association.[27]

Leave the Light On

Leave the Light On is the second memoir written by Jennifer Storm. The book deals with Storm's recovery from drug and alcohol addiction and her experiences coming out of the closet. The book is the companion to Blackout Girl: Growing Up and Drying Out in America. It has been called "fearlessly honest" and "courageous" by We Magazine for Women.[28]

Picking up the Pieces Without Picking Up

Storm's third book, Picking up the Pieces Without Picking Up was a guidebook that focused on reestablishing a healthy lifestyle in the aftermath of a crime or trauma, while preventing relapse and promoting healing. The book promoted guided exercises, journaling, other proactive tools to readers. Victim Advocate and author Kim Goldman, sister of slain waiter Ron Goldman, praised the book as insightful.[29]

Blackout Girl: Tracing My Scars from Addiction and Sexual Assault

Storm's fourth book, Blackout Girl: Blackout Girl: Tracing My Scars from Addiction and Sexual Assault; With New and Updated Content for the #MeToo Era, was published in 2020 by Hazelden. The book discusses alcohol and sexual abuse and is a second printing of her first memoir[30]

Awakening Blackout Girl: A Survivor's Guide for Healing from Addiction and Sexual Trauma

Storm's fifth book, Awakening Blackout Girl: A Survivor's Guide for Healing from Addiction and Sexual Trauma, was published in 2020 by Hazelden. The book honest and practical guide, rape survivor and victim advocate Jennifer Storm shares the information, tools, and resources she has gained from more than twenty years of personal and professional experience to help fellow survivors recover from co-occurring sexual trauma and substance use[31][32]

Documentary

A documentary based on Blackout Girl is currently in production, produced and directed by Emmy Award–winning director Sylvia Caminer.[33]

References

  1. ^ Barrett, Elizabeth (April 6, 2021). "The Reluctant Therapist: Overcoming trauma and advocating for survivors". www.kcbx.org. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  2. ^ "Gov. Tom Wolf calls for lawmakers to act on victim-focused bills: 'I don't think we have a choice'". PennLive.com. Retrieved September 19, 2018.
  3. ^ "Meet OVA". Office of the Victim Advocate. Archived from the original on July 18, 2018. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  4. ^ "Storm named new Pa. victim advocate". Philly.com. December 22, 2013. Archived from the original on March 1, 2014. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
  5. ^ Storm, Jennifer (August 25, 2020). Blackout Girl. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 978-1-61649-888-7.
  6. ^ Storm, Jennifer (October 6, 2020). Awakening Blackout Girl. Hazelden. ISBN 978-1-61649-903-7.
  7. ^ Storm, Jennifer (September 25, 2020). "My Journey to Finding Self-Worth in My Self-Harm Scars". Marie Claire. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  8. ^ "Books". JenniferStorm.com. 2018. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  9. ^ a b "Lesbians and Substance Abuse". Curve Magazine. Retrieved June 16, 2010.
  10. ^ "Videos". FOX 11 Los Angeles. April 9, 2021. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  11. ^ Clark, Champ. "Penn State Sex-Abuse Case: How Could This Happen? - Jerry Sandusky, Joe Paterno". People. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
  12. ^ "Jerry Sandusky Videos and Video Clips". ABC News. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
  13. ^ "What My Assault Taught Me About How I Will Speak to My Children About Consent". Parents. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  14. ^ "Jennifer Storm". The Fix. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  15. ^ "Elephant Journal". elephant journal | daily blog, videos, e-newsletter & magazine on yoga + organics + green living + non-new agey spirituality + ecofashion + conscious consumerism=it's about the mindful life. April 23, 2021. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  16. ^ "You Can't Put a Band-Aid Over a Bullet Hole: How I Healed From Sexual Trauma and Substance Abuse". HealthyWomen. October 19, 2020. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  17. ^ "Past Appearances". Jennifer Storm. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  18. ^ Resiliency & recovery | Jennifer Storm | TEDxMuncyStatePrison, December 17, 2014, retrieved April 23, 2021
  19. ^ "About Jen". JenniferStorm.com. 2018. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  20. ^ "Bill Moushey: How The Justice System Fails Victims Of Child Abuse". Huffington Post. April 17, 2012. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
  21. ^ a b "Cosby accusers savor reckoning: 'I have waited 32 years for this day". Philly.com. September 25, 2018. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
  22. ^ Bowley, Graham; Wodzak, Sophie (June 30, 2017). "What Divided the Cosby Jurors? Words, for One Thing". New York Times. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
  23. ^ "GUILTY: Jury finds Bill Cosby guilty in sex assault retrial". Fox News. April 27, 2018. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  24. ^ "Pa. House advances bill allowing older victims of child sexual abuse to sue". Philly.com. September 24, 2018. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  25. ^ "New plan would bar clergy sex abuse victims from suing Catholic Church, critics say". PennLive. October 17, 2018. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  26. ^ "Interview with Jennifer Storm: Author of Blackout Girl". About.com. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved June 16, 2010.
  27. ^ "Pennsylvania Young Adult Top Forty Lists". psla.org. Archived from the original on June 28, 2010. Retrieved June 16, 2010.
  28. ^ "Cover Girl Jennifer Storm is an Advocate for Victims". WE Magazine for Women. October 27, 2009. Retrieved June 16, 2010.
  29. ^ "Picking up the Pieces Without Picking Up". JenniferStorm.com. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  30. ^ Storm, Jennifer (August 25, 2020). Blackout Girl. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 9781616498887.
  31. ^ Storm, Jennifer (October 6, 2020). Awakening Blackout Girl. Hazelden. ISBN 9781616499037.
  32. ^ "My Journey to Finding Self-Worth in My Self-Harm Scars". September 25, 2020.
  33. ^ "Blackout Girl the Film". JenniferStorm.com. 2018. Retrieved December 5, 2018.