Guest Survivor/Advocate Melanie Barton talks with us about the healing road of learning to love and learning to be loved as a survivor of sexual abuse.

A local child abuse survivor is scheduled to speak publicly about her personal experiences and the role a child advocacy center played in her healing, aiming to raise awareness and insight into recovery from abuse.

This training was presented by Melanie Barton, a survivor/advocate/forensic interviewer. It was part of MOVA's 2024 Victim Rights Month commemoration. Melanie shared her experience as a survivor through personal pictures and descriptions along with her journey through Pelvic Pain/Dysfunction and loving and being loved after trauma. Melanie presented her own survivor story detailing the impact the Child Advocacy Model/Forensic Interview had on her finding her voice and breaking the silence for the very first time. She shared her deep and ongoing connection and the value of her MDT (Multi Disciplinary Team). She talked about the Journey that unfolded through the past 19 years of healing, faith & determination to use her pain for purpose and to become an advocate with a look into her 10+ year Career in Victim Services and Advocacy as a whole. Melanie broke down the impact of the Multi-Disciplinary Team she had in the State of New Hampshire and the importance of the Child Advocacy Center Model. Melanie talked about the Hope and Healing she walks in now as the result of putting in the hard work as a survivor and the support and encouragement that was crucial from fellow survivors and providers along the way. Melanie also touched on the impact the criminal justice process has on survivors of crime.

The Sound of Surviving: Trauma-Informed Medical Care with Melanie Barton

The post marks Child Safety and Protection Month by emphasizing that teaching children correct anatomical terms is a proven prevention tool against child sexual abuse, reducing shame and helping children disclose abuse accurately. Through insights from Coffee County CAC director Joyce Prusak and survivor-advocate Melanie Sachs, it highlights how education, openness, and early, age-appropriate conversations can empower children and disrupt offender tactics.

A local expert urged that understanding signs and prevention of child abuse is crucial to protecting children, highlighting that awareness and informed community involvement help adults recognize, report, and prevent maltreatment. The piece emphasizes education, training, and shared responsibility in safeguarding children’s well-being.

Self-care is a crucial, non-negotiable part of the healing journey for adult survivors of child sexual abuse. We hear the term “self care” thrown around a lot in our culture, but sometimes it’s not clear what self-care looks like. Here are a few techniques that helped me on my healing journey. Remember: you deserve it!

In this post, Melanie describes her childhood sexual abuse, the long aftermath (shame, fear, self-harm), and how disclosure at a child advocacy center helped her begin a non-linear healing journey grounded in faith and finding her voice. She frames “hope” as turning pain into purpose through writing, survivor-centered trainings/presentations (including work with SHIELD Task Force), and advocacy/education—especially around trauma’s physical impacts like pelvic pain.

Melanie Sachs is a survivor of Child Sexual Abuse, Sexual Assault and other traumatic events. Melanie obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and worked under the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence right after college. She served for 2 Years in National Service as a member of the AmeriCorps Victim Assistance program as a crisis center advocate and as a Shelter Advocate on the night/overnight shift located in the Imminent Danger Shelter. Melanie relocated to in 2015 to Cape Cod, Massachusetts and worked at the local advocacy center for 6 years in two roles (Family Advocate and Forensic Interviewer) helping families navigate all systems and providing support in many capacities for Families who walk through the doors of as the result of child sexual abuse, severe physical abuse, witness to domestic violence or CSEC (Trafficking) along with conducting Forensic Interviews of Children for Law Enforcement and Child Protection (MDT Partners). Melanie served on the Board of Directors for SHIELD Task Force out of West Virginia for 2 years and in late 2020 Melanie accepted a position to be a part of SHIELD in a different capacity as a Training and Development Consultant and as a presenting member of their Speakers Bureau. Melanie is passionate about walking alongside others on their healing journey and since 2019 has embarked on sharing her experience with Pelvic Pain/Dysfunction on her Instagram @victoryoverpelvicpain and hashtag #victoryoverpelvicpain.

The Psychology of Surviving: Forensic and Survivor Perspectives on Trauma and Offender Mindsets with Dr. Timothy Saar

In the 235th episode of the Keep Moving Forward Podcast, I interview Former Dancer, Basketball & Softball Player, and Family Advocate at Children’s Cove, Mel Sachs.

OPEN Host Daren Jaime sits down with the Family Advocate at the Children's Cove in The Cape & Islands Child Advocacy Center, Melanie Sachs discussing victim advocacy and how advocates can support the victims of abuse.

This video training was created by NRCAC in collaboration with Western Regional Children's Advocacy Center as an orientation tool for both current and incoming MDT members. This training highlights the importance of victim advocates, what victim advocates do for children and families, and the role of the victim advocate on the MDT.

West Virginia Child Advocacy Network staff and adult survivors of child sexual abuse launched the West Virginia SHINE campaign on Wednesday, April 10, 2019.

Apr 10, 2019. Break the Silence + SHINE.

In the National Children’s Alliance 2019 annual report, Melanie is featured as a family advocate who drew on her own experience as a child abuse survivor to help launch and champion the SHINE public awareness campaign, using her story to encourage healing and elevate survivors’ voices while supporting other children and families affected by abuse.

The CAC Impact Mini Documentary