In Survivor Advocacy, Complexity MattersIn today’s climate, it’s easy to fall into “for or against” narratives—especially when it comes to the jus
In Survivor Advocacy, Complexity Matters
Image credit: Zen-Chung/Pexels
In today’s climate, it’s easy to fall into “for or against” narratives—especially when it comes to the justice system. Prosecutors, in particular, are often seen through a binary lens: either the villain or the hero. But when you’ve spent years walking alongside Survivors, listening to their stories, and fighting for safety and healing, you learn this truth:
The deeper you go into justice work, the more complexity you find.
And we can’t afford to flatten that.
💔 Many Prosecutors Carry Their Own Stories of Survival
Take Kelly Siegler, for example. You may know her from Cold Justice, where she works to solve long-forgotten homicide cases in small towns. But behind her steely courtroom presence is a personal history that often goes unspoken:
“I grew up in an abusive household.”
—Kelly Siegler, Prosecuting Evil
That experience didn’t break her—it shaped her. It gave her a fire to believe Survivors, even when the world refuses to. It taught her how abuse hides in plain sight. It gave her insight that goes beyond the textbook, beyond the law.
Kelly Siegler is a legal titan. For many of us familiar with the legal world, her reputation precedes her — decades of courtroom dominance, razor-sharp intelligence, and unwavering dedication to justice. But watching her on Cold Justice reveals a powerful new layer: a leader who is both team player and trusted confidante.
Her hometown-girl charm humbles superstar intensity — she leans in to listen, makes space for every voice, and honors the experiences of everyday people. The professional who honors local wisdom. That’s not just style — that’s strategy. It’s how cold cases are solved: not by lone brilliance, but by community, collaboration, and the trust she cultivates with each person and witness she encounters.
🧭 Survivor-Led Doesn’t Always Mean System-Free
In a perfect world, Survivors would be able to access safety, justice, and healing outside of systems that have harmed us. But in the real world, safety often requires strategy.
Some Survivors become therapists.
Some become activists.
Some become judges, nurses, or social workers.
And yes, some become prosecutors.
That doesn’t make them infallible. But it does mean that not all prosecutors are the same. And we owe it to ourselves and our communities to dig deeper before we dismiss them outright.
⚖️ Vote for Whomever You Choose—But Do It with Eyes Open
Yes, vote. Always.
Yes, ask questions. Demand transparency. Watch who’s funded by whom.
But also ask this:
Who has a record of standing up for victims?
Who understands coercive control, intimate partner violence, and trauma?
Who centers those with the least access to protection?
It may surprise you.
Sometimes, the person who walks into a courtroom with power has spent years being powerless.
🪶 Survivor Wisdom Demands Nuance
This post isn’t about telling anyone who to vote for. That’s your choice. Y’all know I believe in that.
It’s about reminding us: we’re allowed to be wise.
We’re allowed to hold two truths at once—that some prosecutors uphold harm, and some are Survivors using their power to do good.
We’re allowed to demand more, ask more, and expect more.
Especially when it comes to something as sacred as safety.
✨ A Final Word
Not all prosecutors are allies.
But not all are enemies, either.
Some are Survivors—just like us—who decided to take the system and fight from the inside.
Let’s keep our eyes open.
Let’s think deeper.
Let’s vote smarter.
And always—let’s center the people who’ve survived.
[wesurviveabuse.com] | [survivoraffirmations.com] | [rosaschildren.com]
Share if you feel safe and ready—your voice might be the lifeline someone else needs. And if you do share, remember to cite the messenger. Words carry legacy.
Note: This is not a sponsored post. I do not know Kelly personally. But I worked within the system to help save lives.
If you want to build and create safer communities, you must work with a diverse group of people.
