Dates: Tuesday and Wednesday, June 23 and 24, 2026
Time: Approx. 9am – 5pm (final schedule in progress)
Location: Long Beach, New York, USA
This two-day event will be the first U.S. conference dedicated exclusively to Sibling Sexual Trauma and Abuse (SSTA), a form of abuse that is common and critically under-recognized. The event brings together survivors, families, professionals, researchers, and advocates to share knowledge, build community, and drive change.
The 2026 SSTA Conference is the 4th annual international gathering hosted by Thriving Survivors, and the first to be held in the United States, co-hosted by 5WAVES. This year’s event also marks the 10-year anniversary of Thriving Survivors’ founding — a decade of survivor-led advocacy, healing, and systemic change.
Why This Conference Matters
The SSTA 2024 conference in Scotland was the first of its kind and described by attendees as “life-changing,” “groundbreaking,” and “one of the most healing insights” they had ever experienced.
Feedback revealed:
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Survivors felt seen for the first time: “I realized this would be the first time in my life where I didn’t have to hide who I really am.”
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Professionals gained new tools: “The timeline of interventions was helpful for my own practice.”
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The need for open dialogue: “We must normalize conversations around sex, good sex, and inappropriate sexual contact so children/teenagers know the difference.”
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The power of lived experience: “Listening to Ashley’s speech at the start of the day nearly broke me… I’ve never heard anyone speak about it and mirror my exact feelings in that way.”
This feedback is shaping the 2026 agenda to be even more inclusive, survivor- and family-led, and focused on practical, systemic change.
Who Should Attend?
We anticipate approximately 250 attendees, including:
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Professionals: Therapists, social workers, educators, law enforcement, legal professionals
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Academics & Researchers
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Students
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Advocates
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Survivors, Family Members & Supporters
Call for Abstracts – Now Open!
Thriving Survivors and 5WAVES, Inc. are both lived experience–led organizations that value amplifying the voices of those with lived experience.
5WAVES focuses specifically on Sibling Sexual Trauma and Abuse (SSTA).
Thriving Survivors provides a four-stage recovery pathway for all people affected by trauma.
We actively recruit and collaborate with individuals from a wide range of backgrounds, cultures, and experiences as we work toward inclusive, representative, and global impact.
As part of our 2026 U.S. Conference, we are inviting in-person workshop proposals and speaker submissions from those with lived experience, research, and/or professional experience in Sibling Sexual Trauma or Abuse (SSTA). This is your opportunity to share your story, your work, and your insights with a diverse audience focused on SSTA.
Themes
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The Power of Shared Voices
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Prevention and Early Intervention
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Recovery and Healing
We are particularly seeking:
🌍 People with any type of lived or living experience – all experiences are valid and will be considered
🌍 Speakers, panels, and workshop hosts from diverse cultures and perspectives
🌍 Engaging, reflective, healing-focused, or interactive workshop formats that encourage participation and learning
Whether you are a survivor, parent, practitioner, advocate, researcher, friend, or family member, we want to hear from you. Your voice matters, and your contribution can help shape awareness and conversation on healing, empowerment, and change.
Key Dates
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Abstract Submissions Open: August 27, 2025
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Submission Deadline: October 1, 2025
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Notification of Acceptance: October 15, 2025
Workshops may be delivered sequentially or concurrently in breakout rooms, depending on the final schedule.
Let’s come together to end the silence and move forward to effective healing and prevention of SSTA!
Please follow the link below to submit your abstract.
