{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"164. Rita Smith: The Voice That Changed the National Conversation","description":" In this week\u2019s episode of Sexual Assault Survivor Stories, I\u2019m honored to welcome someone whose name has become synonymous with advocacy, leadership, and meaningful systemic change. Rita Smith has spent more than four decades reshaping how this country understands, responds to, and prevents violence against women. From her grassroots beginnings to her national-level impact, Rita has consistently shown up for survivors with a rare blend of humility, strength, and deep psychological insight. Rita\u2019s work reaches across some of the largest platforms in the nation. She has served as Senior Advisor to the National Football League for more than 11 years, guiding the NFL\u2019s policies, training, and cultural shifts around domestic violence and sexual assault. As Vice President of External Relations for DomesticShelters.org, she strengthens community programs around the country, builds partnerships, supports frontline advocates, and provides a steady, trusted voice to the national media. She\u2019s also spent years consulting for organizations nationwide and serves on the board of Restoration Project International, supporting victims of sex trafficking with compassion and expertise. But what stands out most in our conversation today isn\u2019t just Rita\u2019s r\u00e9sum\u00e9\u2014it\u2019s the heart behind the work. She brings decades of crisis intervention experience, conflict-resolution skill, and trauma-informed understanding into this discussion. You\u2019ll hear the wisdom of someone who has sat with survivors, challenged institutions, trained leaders, and refused to accept the status quo when it harms those who need protection most. Rita\u2019s clarity, steadiness, and lived commitment to justice remind us that change doesn\u2019t come from policy alone\u2014it comes from people willing to keep showing up, year after year. This episode is a powerful reminder of what it looks like when advocacy meets integrity. Whether you\u2019re a survivor, a professional in this field, or someone trying to understand how we build safer communities, Rita Smith\u2019s voice will leave you thinking differently about the systems around us\u2014and inspired to push them toward something better. An important side note: if you\u2019re finding value in this show and these amazing episodes, please take a moment to leave a 5-star rating on your podcast platform. AND, follow SexualAssaultSurvivorStories on Instagram, then, please send me a note of support. I can\u2019t tell you how much your emails mean to me\u2014they fuel my passion to keep this podcast going. And if you\u2019re a victim or survivor and are ready to tell your story in order to help yourself or someone else heal, let me know, and we can start a conversation about the possibility of you being on the show.  Here\u2019s my email address: dave@sasstories.com  Thank you to all of you who have reached out to me already. Just provide me with a phone number where I can reach back out to you\u2026because I like to talk to people who are interested in guesting. And please keep those emails and texts coming\u2026I truly look forward to hearing from you! Here are some critically important links that I hope you\u2019ll take the time to explore, and where a contribution is requested, please consider doing so! \u2014 Thank you!! https:\/\/womensmediacenter.com\/profile\/rita-smith https:\/\/1in6.org\/ https:\/\/time.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/repeat_rape.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com https:\/\/soulwisesolutions.com https:\/\/safeinharmsway.org https:\/\/sironahealing.com\/ https:\/\/www.whattheydontsay.com https:\/\/www.survivor-school.com\/?ref=DAVEMARKEL www.arcigrey.com  https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/invisible-no-more-lady-veterans-stories-of-military\/id1754061590 https:\/\/startbybelieving.org https:\/\/evawintl.org\/ As mentioned, and emphasized, it\u2019s time to Normalize the Conversation.\u2122 And please remember to Start by Believing\u2026because we all know someone whose life has been impacted by rape or sexual assault. Thank you for tuning in. ","author_name":"Sexual Assault Survivor Stories Podcast - SASS","author_url":"http:\/\/sexualassaultsurvivorstories.libsyn.com\/website","html":"