Name: Healthy Intimacy after Sexual Violence
Start: 2026-04-28T17:30:00-04:00
End: 2026-04-28T19:00:00-04:00
Location: The Space | Providence

Learn about how sexual trauma impacts functioning and engage in discussion about interventions, resources and reframing intimacy.
About this Event

Healthy Intimacy after Sexual Violence
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Sojourner House believes that everyone deserves to be supported, believed and empowered as they navigate life after abuse. Learn about the dynamics of sexual violence, but also how to create a healthy mentality about sexuality after violence.

Objectives:
Attendees will engage in discussion about the resources available to support survivors of sexual violence.

Attendees will learn about the intersectionality of culture, oppression, and sexual violence
Attendees will engage in discussion from a sex-positive lens about how to lead conversations with survivors about healthy sexual intimacy
Presenter Bios:
Caely Flynn (she/her) is Sojourner House’s Sexual Violence Program Coordinator. Her job touches upon anything related to sexual violence response and prevention.. She transitioned from the world of teaching into victims services, while still being able to use her skills from the former. Caely received her bachelor’s degree at the University of Connecticut, where she first worked in sexual violence prevention. After navigating various worlds of nonprofits, Caely transitioned back home to Rhode Island where she obtained her teaching degree. Her current role covers things from coordinating our HIV testing program, to instructing police on all matters regarding interpersonal violence.

Justine Mainville Pagano (she/they) is Sojourner House’s Violence Prevention & Education Manager. Her job is about prevention & getting people help. They work to educate the community - including everyone from the healthcare sector to local 5th graders about interpersonal violence and what we can do to prevent it, reduce harm and empower survivors. She attended Rhode Island College for her undergraduate work in Communications and Film Studies. Through her work with AS220, New Urban Arts, and RIOT (formerly Girls Rock) she was inspired to earn her Masters in Teaching at Brown University. Justine spent years enthusiastically teaching elementary students in Providence. She transitioned out of the classroom and into more community driven work with Sojourner House in 2022. She lives in Providence with her partner, her daughter, a black cat, and a silly, long dog.