Words Matter Because Survivors Matter: Evolving the language of sexual violence

Kristin Daley, a communications/development strategist specializing in sexual violence, survivor-centric crisis response, and justice system reform, and Kenny Smith, law enforcement training director and retired law enforcement professional, join the conversation to explore the language we use to discuss sexual violence and how that discourse can help or hurt individuals who experience sexual violence. Together we review the terms sexual assault, rape, survivor, victim, alleged and more to understand how these terms are used and to establish some best practices for talking about crimes of sexual violence. 

Kristin Daley is the Executive Director of New Blue, a nationwide police reform incubator changing police culture through policies and practices that prioritize empathy and equity. Previously, Ms. Daley spent 16 years as Director of Development & Communications for Law Enforcement Action Partnership, police experts advocating for evidence-based reform; she now serves on LEAP’s Board of Directors. A nationally credentialed victim advocate, Ms. Daley is a longtime crisis response counselor and liaison for RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline. She also consults privately on trauma-informed best practices and communications strategy with organizations and individual survivors challenging the justice system. In 2022, Ms. Daley was appointed to the Peace Corps Sexual Assault Advisory Council, a panel of national subject matter experts in the field of sexual violence prevention and response. She is Chair of the 2023 Council. 

Kenny Smith has served in several law enforcement capacities for 21 years, as a Corrections Officer, Patrolman, Patrol Supervisor, Detective, and Jail Administrator, before retiring in 2018. Mr. Smith is a certified Crime Scene Technician and a Professional Law Enforcement Instructor and served on the Board of Directors for the Arkansas Coalition Against Sexual Assault before coming to work for ACASA full-time. He began his work with ACASA in 2018 as the Law Enforcement Training Director and the state Council on Sexual Assault Response (CoSAR) Program Director. Through his work, he travels to law enforcement agencies across the state, providing free CLEST-certified training to officers on how to best respond to and investigate sexual assault cases in a victim-centered and trauma-informed manner. In addition, he also travels the state developing and overseeing CoSAR programs.