Survivor Empowerment & Advisory Council

OAESV’s Survivor Empowerment & Advisory Council (SEAC) is a dynamic group of individuals who have experienced sexual violence. SEAC members collaborate with OAESV’s team and external partners to shape meaningful change in Ohio. As of Spring 2025, the Council is comprised of 5 members. This is not a support group, but a collective focused on change.

OAESV and the Council work to integrate survivor voices into trainings and the design of policies, programs, and community responses across the state. There is never an expectation for Council members to identify as survivors publicly or to share personal stories unless the member chooses to do so. The SEAC is a catalyst for transformation, positioning survivors as leaders and changemakers in the movement to end sexual violence in Ohio.

Applications for the upcoming Council cycle (2025-2026) are currently closed.

Current Members

Allyah is a dedicated advocate and survivor of childhood sexual abuse who is committed to fostering healing, awareness, and systemic change. Through her work with OAESV’s Survivor Empowerment Council, she amplifies the voices of survivors and advances initiatives that prioritize empowerment, education, and prevention. Allyah is passionate about breaking cycles of silence and inspiring hope, believing deeply in the resilience of survivors and the transformative power of collective advocacy.

Aundria is a passionate advocate, speaker, and survivor of domestic violence and sexual assault. She is pursuing a degree in Social Work and is dedicated to empowering others to find their voice in the healing process. Through being a member of Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence’s Survivor Empowerment & Advocacy Council (SEAC), Aundria discovered her voice and a deep passion for advocating for survivors and driving meaningful change. She is also the founder of Courage to Speak LLC – a survivor-led initiative focused on advocacy, education, and coaching for those impacted by trauma. Her work centers on being a voice for change and healing, committed to breaking generational cycles of violence and silence. Aundria believes deeply in the power of storytelling, connection, and community to create lasting impact.

Brittany Brakenhoff is a Research Assistant Professor at UNL Center on Children, Families, and the Law. She received her PhD in Couple and Family Therapy from Ohio State University in 2018. She has co‑authored multiple peer‑reviewed journal articles and book chapters related to her research work with marginalized populations. In her current role, she provides evaluation and research support to the homeless service systems in Lincoln and rural Nebraska. She is passionate about increasing education and awareness about the impact of trauma and sexual violence.

Hilary Ferguson is a current member of OAESV’s Survivor Empowerment and Advisory Council. 

Rashan Legard is an International Motivational Trainer, Veteran, and Poet committed to inspiring transformative change. As a survivor of sexual assault, he leverages his experiences to empower others and promote safer, more equitable spaces through his organization, Rashan Legard Speaks LLC, which has been featured on Cleveland Channel 19 News. His work centers on resilience, sexual harassment prevention, and fostering cultural shifts. Originally from Lorain, Ohio, Rashan earned a Bachelor’s in Communications from Central State University, overcoming significant academic challenges. He served in the U.S. Army and later obtained a Social Work degree, graduating from The Ohio State University in 2019. After his medical retirement in 2022, he completed a Master’s in Social Work from OSU in 2023. In addition to his advocacy, Rashan enjoys traveling, writing poetry, and spending quality time with his family.

Array
(
)

Array
(
    [orig] => https://oaesv.org/get-involved/survivor-led-initiatives/seac/
    [uri] => https://oaesv.org/get-involved/survivor-led-initiatives/seac/
    [route] => Array
        (
            [0] => get-involved
            [1] => survivor-led-initiatives
            [2] => seac
        )

    [slug] => get-involved-survivor-led-initiatives-seac
    [under] => get_involved_survivor_led_initiatives_seac
    [slash] => get-involved/survivor-led-initiatives/seac
    [query] => 
    [is_root] => 
    [root_char] => α
    [__eval_] => live
    [wp] => Array
        (
            [id] => 11660
            [type] => page
            [title] => Survivor Empowerment & Advisory Council
            [slug] => seac
            [date] => 2025-05-16 16:07:48
            [status] => publish
            [template] => page.php
            [meta] => Array
                (
                    [members_only] => 0
                    [_wp_page_template] => default
                    [wpex_overlay_header_dropdown_style] => default
                    [sidebar] => getinvolvedsidebar
                )

        )

    [code] => 200
)

Array
(
    [orig] => https://oaesv.org/get-involved/survivor-led-initiatives/seac/
    [uri] => https://oaesv.org/get-involved/survivor-led-initiatives/seac/
    [route] => Array
        (
            [0] => get-involved
            [1] => survivor-led-initiatives
            [2] => seac
        )

    [slug] => get-involved-survivor-led-initiatives-seac
    [under] => get_involved_survivor_led_initiatives_seac
    [slash] => get-involved/survivor-led-initiatives/seac
    [query] => 
    [is_root] => 
    [root_char] => α
    [__eval_] => uri
    [wp] => Array
        (
            [id] => 11660
            [type] => page
            [title] => Survivor Empowerment & Advisory Council
            [slug] => seac
            [date] => 2025-05-16 16:07:48
            [status] => publish
            [meta] => Array
                (
                    [members_only] => 0
                    [_wp_page_template] => default
                    [wpex_overlay_header_dropdown_style] => default
                    [sidebar] => getinvolvedsidebar
                )

        )

)
Back To Top
Search
Skip to content