In the debut episode of "Why Be Silent," forensic nurse examiner Shannon Vincent courageously delves into the harsh realities of society's most taboo topics: sexual assault, domestic violence, human trafficking, elder abuse, and more. Shannon shares her journey as a forensic nurse and her mission to break the silence surrounding these issues, emphasizing the importance of spreading awareness and support for victims. Listeners are urged to confront the uncomfortable truths surrounding these issues. Shannon provides insight into her forensic training, the challenges faced by victims, and the crucial need for community involvement to bring about change. As Shannon discusses daunting statistics and societal misconceptions, she encourages everyone to become informed and proactive in their communities, supporting victims and working towards prevention. This episode serves as a call to action for listeners to be part of the solution, advocating for resource sharing, victim support, and ultimately, a cultural shift towards open dialogue and understanding.   References: Sexual Assault Statistics | National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/213503.pdf http://www.unicef.org/protection/files/BehindClosedDoo http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/cdc_nisvs_overview_insert_final-a.pdf https://www.thehotline.org/stakeholders/domestic-violence-statistics/https://ovc.ojp.gov/2023-report-nation/elder-abuse-financial-exploitation https://humantraffickinghotline.org/en/statistics