Jess Michaels
Speaker/Educator/Advocate
Changing how we respond to sexual assault trauma
Society is good at learning from tragedy.
We learn to PREVENT tragedies. And we learn to PREPARE for tragedies so we minimize the damage.
We engineer cars with better brakes and equip them with seat belts. We teach kids not to play with matches and how to "stop, drop, and roll" during a fire.
Yet, our children are 117 times more likely to face sexual harm than catch fire, and astonishingly we’ve largely been without emergency response protocols to prevent long-term damage from this pervasive problem. Until now.
I teach basic trauma-informed sexual assault first aid skills and
emergency safety protocols for sexual harm that anyone can learn and everyone can use.
My TEDx Talk: “How Sexual Assault First Aid Revolutionizes Prevention”
Bio: Jess Michaels a dance industry professional with 30 years experience as a performer, educator, and entrepreneur.
She is also a 1991 survivor of sexual assault by Jeffrey Epstein and childhood sexual abuse.
Shockingly, her healing journey began December 14, 2012, after Jess and her hometown of Newtown CT were devastated by the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. She not only witnessed the impact of mass tragedy all around her but also experienced the full force of her past trauma catching up to her.
In 2015, Jess found immense purpose and hope when she joined Dylan’s Wings of Change, a foundation dedicated to Dylan Hockley, one of the first-grade victims in the mass shooting. She helped develop the Wingman program for dance studios, sports, and schools and her work as a speaker & educator on empathy, inclusion, and community-building began.
It was there in Newtown, teaching dance classes and working alongside brave parents who lost their children, Jess began to connect the value of shame-free, community-based early trauma intervention to the needs of sexual assault survivors.
The 2019 arrest of Epstein motivated her to finally confront her past. Breaking her #MeToo silence, she channeled her own healing journey into action.
Today, she's the founder and driving force behind 3Joannes SAFR—a groundbreaking Sexual Assault First Aid Certification Course and SA First Aid Kit (mobile app). Through her work, Jess equips communities with the tools to minimize the devastating long-term effects of sexual violence.
Her ultimate goal? To ensure no one else loses decades shackled by the ghosts of unprocessed trauma, as she did.
“Jessica's story connects and inspires all audiences! She shares from her heart and gives meaning to navigating a life full of tragedy and triumph. Her message empowers others to move beyond current circumstances and dig deep into the personal strength that lies within to overcome any challenge. Jessica is a true inspiration, a bright light and a strong woman who leaves her audience inspired to be difference makers.”
—Suzanne Blake Gerety, Dance Industry Leader and Marketing Event Director
Speaking highlights include:
Keynote: “Surviving Epstein; How a Red Balloon Can Save Your Life”
In this compelling keynote, Jess takes us on an impactful journey from personal tragedy to collective empowerment, transforming the discourse on sexual assault and PTSD.
Discover a groundbreaking approach to end the cycle of sexual harm and victim-blaming, while championing empathy and resilience within your community.
What You'll Learn:
Unlock the Power of Community: Learn how fostering empathy and resilience within your existing social circles can become a formidable tool against sexual violence.
Shatter the Stigma: Unearth three paradigm-shifting truths about sexual assault that will dispel shame, silence victim-blaming, and revolutionize how we view this societal crisis.
Activate Change with One Simple Step: Receive actionable guidance on a singular, yet potent action that could be a life-saving game changer in the fight against sexual assault.
LIVE ONLINE & IN-PERSON OPTIONS 30-60 min
*Ages 16- adult, customizable title & content
*Ideal communities: high schools, colleges & universities, education professionals, parent organization
“Jessica Michaels brings captivating storytelling with inspired imagery and passion. She instantly grabs the hearts and minds of her audience and leads them through her anecdotes and experiences with empathy and compassion. We had the pleasure of having Jessica lead our keynote speech for educators from Canada, USA, Mexico & UK. She presents with courage and vulnerability that allows every listener to empathize and participate on personal levels. She is one of our most sought-after and requested speakers and we are honored every time she returns to our events.
—Jay T. Schramek , Co-owner/Director of Programming, Dance Attack Events/Toronto Dance Teacher Expo
*SAFR: Sexual Assault First Response
Preparation IS Prevention
Amid a backdrop of staggering statistics surrounding sexual violence, society often stops at prevention—leaving families and communities ill-prepared for the aftermath. This gaping hole in emergency response protocols not only exacerbates survivors' trauma but also fuels PTSD rates that rival those of combat veterans.
Enter the 3Js Sexual Assault First Aid Certification & 3Js Sexual Assault First Aid Kit (Mobile App)—your proactive toolkit for becoming a beacon of hope and healing for others.
Designed with trauma-informed insights, this transformative course equips participants with vital skills for responding to sexual harm swiftly and empathetically. Because just as you wouldn't learn to swim in the midst of drowning, these essential life skills must be acquired before disaster strikes.
What participants will gain from this workshop:
Devise an Unshakable Community Safety Protocol: Master the art of crafting an actionable, life-saving community safety response protocol that can be implemented immediately, mitigating the long-term impacts of trauma and enhancing community resilience.
Unlock the Power of Trauma-Informed First Aid: Learn, through immersive exercises, the foundational skills needed for immediate, trauma-informed intervention—setting a new gold standard for Sexual Assault First Response.
Champion Survivor-Centric Solutions: Gain a nuanced understanding of survivor-focused reporting options, as well as avenues for healing and support, enabling you to become a well-informed advocate and ally in the aftermath of sexual harm.
*LIVE ONLINE & IN-PERSON, 3.5 hours, cost includes workshop & mobile app
*Ages 16-adult/customizable title & content
*Ideal communities: high schools, colleges & universities, education professionals, parent organization
Workshop:
3Joannes SAFR™
“With her incredible bravery and vulnerability, it is inspiring to witness Jessica’s “mess” become her message. She is creating an initiative rooted in empowerment and community because she knows first-hand it can change someone’s story and it can change someone’s life”
—Lauren Ritchie, Mental Skills and Leadership Development, withLauren.ca
