About the Author
My Biography
My name is Dawn Rivera, and my mission is deeply rooted in my lived experience as a survivor of domestic violence, sexual assault, and incest. I am no longer defined by what I endured—I am a testament to what it means to rise. I have gone from victim to victorious, and my story is one of courage, resilience, and transformation.
Growing up, my home was filled with chaos, fear, and silence. When my parents drank, the abuse would begin. My father was physically and emotionally violent toward my mother, controlling her every move. I remember one night vividly—watching him hit her and throw her to the ground. When he told me she had simply fallen, I knew the truth, even as a child.
In that moment, I made a promise to myself: I would never live that life. Yet, as I grew older, I found myself in relationships that mirrored the very environment I had sworn to escape. That behavior had been normalized for me. Love was never spoken in my home—there were no “I love you’,” only yelling, fear, and survival. I believed that was what family looked like.
At 14, I turned to drugs as a way to cope. What began as an escape quickly became a way of life. Being high allowed me to numb the pain, to avoid feeling, and to disconnect from the reality I didn’t yet know how to face.
Everything changed the day I walked into a domestic violence shelter. That moment marked the beginning of my healing and the rediscovery of my voice. It was there that I made a decision—not just to survive, but to live with purpose.
Today, I use my journey to inspire others to rise, to heal, and to recognize their own strength and power. I am committed to being a voice for women, children, and survivors who have not yet found theirs. My story is proof that no matter where you come from, transformation is possible—and your voice matters.
Dawn Rivera
Executive Director
Women In Healing Inc.
Women In Healing
“Taken Back Our Lives”
Taken Back Our Lives exists to raise awareness, amplify survivor voices, and mobilize our community to prevent child abuse and sexual assault. During Child Abuse Awareness Month this April, we unite to educate, support healing, and take action so every child and every survivor can live in safety, dignity, and strength.
Our mission is to stand with survivors, protect children, and break the silence surrounding abuse. This April, Taken Back Our Lives brings our community together to raise awareness, provide resources, and foster healing spaces where resilience is honored and hope leads the way.
Taken Back Our Lives is dedicated to ending child abuse and sexual assault through awareness, advocacy, and community support. During Child Abuse Awareness Month, we work to educate, empower survivors, and inspire meaningful action that creates safer futures for all.
We believe awareness leads to protection and support leads to healing. Taken Back Our Lives works to uplift survivors, educate our community, and prevent abuse. This April, we come together to honor courage, share resources, and build a future free from violence.