Jennifer Storm

Jennifer Storm (born May 7, 1975) is the current Victim Witness Advocate of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania[1] and an author who has written about alcohol and drug addiction and recovery.[2] Storm has served as Pennsylvania's Victim Witness Advocate since her appointment by Governor Tom Corbett in 2013.[3] She was unanimously confirmed by the PA Senate and sworn in for a six-year term on December 20, 2013.[4]

Jennifer Storm
Storm in 2017
Born (1975-05-07) May 7, 1975
Occupation
EducationPennsylvania State University (BS)
University of Phoenix(MA)
Notable worksLeave the Light On (memoir)
Website
jenniferstorm.com

Storm documented her struggles with addiction in a trilogy of books, Blackout Girl: Growing Up and Drying Out in America, Leave the Light On, and Picking Up the Pieces Without Picking Up.[5] Storm began drinking at the age of 12 and became an alcoholic by the time she was 15.[6]

Storm is internationally known, having appeared on various national talk shows, radio programs, newspapers and magazine articles including The Today Show, World News Tonight with Diane Sawyer, and People magazine.[7][8]

Early life and education

Storm was born and raised near Allentown, Pennsylvania and attended Northampton Area High School. She graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Services and a Master's Degree in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix.[9]

Office of Victim Advocate

During her time as Pennsylvania's Victim Advocate, Jennifer Storm has discussed many high profile cases.

Jerry Sandusky trial

Storm served as a victim advocate during the Jerry Sandusky case.[10]

Bill Cosby trial

Storm was regularly interviewed by the press during the Cosby Trial, advocating for Cosby's accusers.[11] When the initial trial ended in a mistrial, Storm spoke out regarding the problematic role of unfamiliar language in sexual assault cases.[12]

After the verdict’s announcement, Storm commended the Montgomery County District Attorney’s office for their diligent work during both trials.[13]

When some of Cosby's accusers were denied the opportunity to speak in court, Storm held a press conference for the women, allowing them to publicly share their stories.[11]

Pennsylvania Catholic Church scandal

In 2018, Storm advocated for victims of Pennsylvania’s Catholic Church sexual abuse scandal in Harrisburg, Pa.[14] She voiced criticism when the Church attempted to limit the statute of limitations for victims.[15]

Memoir series

Blackout Girl: Growing Up and Drying Out in America

Storm's first book, Blackout Girl: Growing Up and Drying Out in America, was published in 2008 by Hazelden. The book discusses alcohol and sexual abuse[6] in the LGBT community.[2] The Memoir was voted one of the best top forty adult nonfiction books published in 2008 by the Pennsylvanian School Librarians Association.[16]

Leave the Light On

Leave the Light On is the second memoir written by Jennifer Storm. The book deals with Storm's recovery from drug and alcohol addiction and her experiences coming out of the closet. The book is the companion to Blackout Girl: Growing Up and Drying Out in America. It has been called "fearlessly honest" and "courageous" by We Magazine for Women.[17]

Picking up the Pieces Without Picking Up

Storm's third book, Picking up the Pieces Without Picking Up was a guidebook that focused on reestablishing a healthy lifestyle in the aftermath of a crime or trauma, while preventing relapse and promoting healing. The book promoted guided exercises, journaling, other proactive tools to readers. Victim Advocate and author Kim Goldman, sister of slain waiter Ron Goldman, praised the book as insightful.[18]

Documentary

A documentary, based on Blackout Girl is currently in production. Emmy Award–winning director Sylvia Caminer is producing and directing.[19]

References
  1. "Gov. Tom Wolf calls for lawmakers to act on victim-focused bills: 'I don't think we have a choice'". PennLive.com. Retrieved September 19, 2018.
  2. "Interview with Jennifer Storm: Author of Blackout Girl". About.com. Retrieved June 16, 2010.
  3. "Meet OVA". Office of the Victim Advocate. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  4. "Storm named new Pa. victim advocate". Philly.com. December 22, 2013. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
  5. . JenniferStorm.com. 2018 https://jenniferstorm.com/books/. Retrieved December 3, 2018. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  6. "Lesbians and Substance Abuse". Curve Magazine. Retrieved June 16, 2010.
  7. Clark, Champ. "Penn State Sex-Abuse Case: How Could This Happen? - Jerry Sandusky, Joe Paterno". People. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
  8. "Jerry Sandusky Videos and Video Clips". ABC News. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
  9. "About Jen". JenniferStorm.com. 2018. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  10. "Bill Moushey: How The Justice System Fails Victims Of Child Abuse". Huffington Post. April 17, 2012. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
  11. "Cosby accusers savor reckoning: 'I have waited 32 years for this day". Philly.com. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
  12. Bowley, Graham; Wodzak, Sophie (June 30, 2017). "What Divided the Cosby Jurors? Words, for One Thing". New York Times. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
  13. "GUILTY: Jury finds Bill Cosby guilty in sex assault retrial". Fox News. April 27, 2018. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  14. "Pa. House advances bill allowing older victims of child sexual abuse to sue". Philly.com. September 24, 2018. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  15. "New plan would bar clergy sex abuse victims from suing Catholic Church, critics say". PennLive. October 17, 2018. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  16. "Pennsylvania Young Adult Top Forty Lists". psla.org. Archived from the original on June 28, 2010. Retrieved June 16, 2010.
  17. "Cover Girl Jennifer Storm is an Advocate for Victims". WE Magazine for Women. October 27, 2009. Retrieved June 16, 2010.
  18. "Picking up the Pieces Without Picking Up". JenniferStorm.com. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  19. "Blackout Girl the Film". JenniferStorm.com. 2018. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
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