At just 8 years old, Kelly Wallace faced the unimaginable—testifying in court against her own grandfather, a man who committed the heinous act of sexual abuse. Her story is a stark reminder of the silent battles that many face, hidden behind the closed doors of seemingly ordinary homes.
Kelly's journey is not just one of survival, but of unwavering courage and the pursuit of healing. As an alcoholic in recovery since 2001, she confronts the overlooked correlation between addiction and the trauma of sexual abuse. With raw honesty, Kelly discusses the ongoing challenges of trust and the complexities of family dynamics, especially when those who should protect you become the perpetrators.
In a poignant conversation that spans the personal to the systemic, Kelly reveals the inadequacies of a legal system that often fails the innocent, the generational cycles of abuse, and the power of speaking one's truth. Her voice is a clarion call for awareness, change, and the empowerment of survivors everywhere.
Join us as we dive into a narrative that, while difficult, is necessary for shedding light on the shadows of abuse and the strength it takes to stand against it. Kelly's story is a testament to the human spirit's capacity to fight back and forge a path towards a brighter, more just future.
Better Call Daddy: The Safe Space for Controversy. 
 
Connect with Kelly
https://www.kellywallace.org/
 
Connect with Reena:
bettercalldaddy.com
linkedin.com/in/reenafriedmanwatts
twitter.com/reenareena
instagram.com/reenafriedmanwatts
instagram.com/bettercalldaddypodcast
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Show notes created by https://headliner.app
 
(00:00) This is the better call daddy show. Each week, I interview a guest, share stories with my dad
(01:38) Kelly Wallace is a sexual assault survivor and an alcoholic in recovery
(03:58) You testified when you were eight against your grandfather for sexually abusing you
(13:07) Kelly says most sexual assault survivors can't speak up about what happened
(20:10) Working out helps me with my mental health, and also creativity
(22:53) Have you had any spiritual awakenings or do you believe in God
(24:16) What do you think your purpose in life is and what is your legacy
(26:03) What's your relationship like with your mom now? My relationship with my mom is challenging
(34:09) You recently joined the advisory board of Incest Aware
(36:46) What's your interest in the Scientology piece? It's so funny
(39:28) You haven't reached out to your dad or grandfather since 1996
(44:51) Is time really heal for people with PTSD
(46:05) Do you think that everyone who's been sexually assaulted should have therapy
(48:05) You've had some of your videos go completely viral
(49:40) One question I did see in the comments of your story was, where was children protective services
(55:21) The court system is so hard. It's just being involved in any legal case is stressful
(56:52) Documents from Oregon child sexual abuse lawsuit were lost in a flood
(01:03:46) The whole consent thing is so new, and it's so foreign
(01:05:24) This is going to be quite an interesting conversation between my dad and me
(01:06:25) Kelly, this is really a tough episode. I had trouble sleeping after this interview
(01:09:27) This episode brings out a lot of issues about sex and court systems
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