Meet Joyce Reed of Hurt 2 Heal in Atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Joyce Reed.

Joyce is also an author of “Hurt Used To Live Here “and “Speechless No More”.
Joyce stop being ashamed and embarrassed by what people thought of her and realized that her life was bigger than her and she had a purpose. So, who else better to tell her story, but her?

At this point in her life, she has so many things, both good and positive.

She is a Contributing Writer for Walkers’ Legacy. She is a mentor at Destiny Daughters of Promise. She volunteers at LiveSafe and is also on the SART “Sexual Assault Response Team” Committee in Cobb County.
Joyce also shares her passion for the community and being the voice for the voiceless.

Joyce is courageous, she is bold, she is a fighter, she is a believer, she is a mother, she is an advocate, she is brave and she is a child of GOD! She has a movement called #iamurvoice and it allows men and women the opportunity to speak their truth and not be ashamed about their past struggles. Everyone has a story but not everyone has the courage to speak out about it.

Has it been a smooth road?
Definitely not, I endured so much to be where I am today. I experienced 6 rapes, 6 deaths in one year, 3 attempts at suicide and then raising two children out of rape, on my own and being homeless with them for some time. What my struggle has taught me, is that no matter what the devil throws at you, GOD will always be your protector and he will never leave you, nor forsake you. He gives you, what he knows you can handle and bare.

• 17,700,000 is the estimated number of women who have been the victims of rape since 1998.
• 99% of perpetrators of sexual violence that will walk free.
• 321,500 is the average number of victims of rape and sexual assault per year in the U.S.
• 13% of female rape survivors who will attempt suicide after an assault.

Is there anything currently in Fulton County to help victims?
Only to assist with rape kits, But… Grady improperly billed rape victims. Grady charged victims for exams that state fund is supposed to pay.
• The state’s largest public hospital improperly charged more than 730 rape victims for forensic exams, an Atlanta Journal-Constitution investigation has found. Under state law, Grady Memorial Hospital is supposed to provide rape exams free to victims and send the bills to a special state fund — billing them is considered as unfair as a shooting victim paying police to dust the weapon for fingerprints. Instead, survivors were caught up in a two-year bureaucratic breakdown that shows how Grady, the sole rape crisis center for Fulton County’s nearly 1 million residents, fails to follow laws meant to protect victims.

What happens to the victims after the rape kit is completed? There is no place in Fulton county to help victims after the trauma.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
Hurt 2 Heal Inc. nonprofit organization that offers a voice for individuals impacted by all forms of abuse. Their mission is to renew awareness and support the healing and restoration process of individuals impacted by abuse, by providing the necessary resources and tools needed to promote individuals and family healing.

What are common emotional effects of sex and rape?
• Changes in trusting others
• Anger and blame
• Shock
• Numbness
• Loss of control
• Disorientation
• Helplessness
• Sense of vulnerability
• Fear
• Self-blame/guilt for “allowing” the crime to happen.
• Feeling that these reactions are a sign of weakness.

I stand before you a survivor of 6 rapes, homelessness, domestic violence, having my children out of rape and 3 attempts at suicide. I can’t and I won’t give up on YOU!
Author Joyce Reed #iamURvoice

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Yes, I do feel like Atlanta is a great place for business, especially what my company is known for. I did my research and looked for what was missing in the area and what is needed. That’s why I targeted Fulton county and knew that there was a need for my organization.

What is H2H committed to doing for Fulton County?
• To educate those impacted by all forms of abuse.
• To restore those impacted by all forms of abuse.
• To create process and programs to develop individual’s skills, knowledge and confidence.
• To use ongoing outreach and engagement processes to continually collect, synthesize information.
• To collaborate the missions and mobilizing together around emerging challenges with other nonprofit organizations and address the complexity of opportunities and challenges through purposeful partnerships.

What kind of services will H2H Center provide:
• 24 hours 7 days a week resources hotline.
• Counseling services
• Survivor’s monthly call in.
• Workshops:
– Changing Hurt 2 Healing
– Defining appropriate vs non-appropriate
– Where are you? This discusses the background and anatomy of a person’s past (assaults, molestations, depression and anxiety etc.)
– How to get assistance? (reporting, laws, policies, etc.)
– Support (who can help?)
– How to defend? (Techniques, tools, tips etc.) Self-defense workshops.
– Prevention strategies

Pricing:

• Hurt Used To Live Here Book – $15
• I am UR Voice Shirts – $15-$20

Contact Info:

• Address: 3355 Lenox Rd, Suite 750, Atlanta GA 30326
• Website: www.hurt2heal.org
• Phone: 404-855-1868
• Email: hurt2heal@gmail.com
• Instagram: _hurt2heal
• Facebook: Author Joyce Reed
• Twitter: hurt2heal
• Yelp: http://chn.ge/2BkZze6
• Other: www.iamurvoice.com

Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.