Autistic people live in a society that was not designed for them: one in which they are often forced to conceal who they are and are unable to receive the accommodations they need. In many cases, autistic people don’t even find out that they are neurodivergent until they are adults. When autistic people also experience sexual violence, they are more likely to experience barriers to accessing services, stigma, and a fundamental misunderstanding of their needs from the systems set up for justice and healing.

This webinar, featuring Erica Blackwood of the North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Olga Trujillo of Activating Change, addresses the barriers autistic survivors face in seeking healing services following sexual violence and ways in which service providers can better meet their needs. This powerful webinar will explore the lived experience of an autistic survivor and offer participants guidance on what accommodations are helpful as well as things to consider for effective communication with autistic survivors.