134. Karla Hernandez and Gerald Erickson: Brutality, Betrayal, and the Birth of a Movement

As a podcast host, it's not uncommon to receive a steady stream of inquiries from publicists and agents eager to get their clients featured on as many platforms as possible. While some pitches align beautifully with the heart and purpose of the show, others—though well-intentioned—may not be the right fit. That's why it's so important to dig deeper, to go beyond the initial pitch and truly understand who the potential guest is, what they represent, and how their story intersects with the mission of the podcast. In the case of this week's guests, that extra effort paid off in a profound way. Learning more about Karla Hernandez and her husband, Gerald Erickson, revealed a story not only deeply compelling, but also tragically resonant with the themes of trauma, justice, and survivor advocacy that this podcast seeks to elevate. Karla's story is devastating. In December 2020 she was brutally raped by a stranger on a beach while her husband surfed just out of sight. The trauma she endured didn't end with the assault—it was compounded by the indifferent, dismissive, and at times retraumatizing response she received from local police and the prosecutor's office. Karla courageously sought justice but instead was met with a system that failed to take meaningful action. That harrowing experience became the catalyst for something powerful. In 2023, Karla and Gerald co-founded Vivo Alliance, a survivor-led organization dedicated to confronting the very injustices that thwarted her own pursuit of accountability. Vivo Alliance exists to challenge the systemic failures embedded in Puerto Rico's response to sexual violence. The organization is committed to amplifying survivor voices, advocating for legal reform, increasing public awareness, and empowering those impacted by sexual violence to reclaim their power with a drive to get Puerto Rico law makers to enact a victims rights statute. Karla's story is not only one of survival—but of transformation. She turned her personal pain into collective purpose, and her appearance on the show offers listeners an honest, urgent, and deeply moving look into the realities of sexual assault, the failures of the justice system, and the fierce resolve of a woman who refused to be silenced. I want to remind you—we all have a role to play in this fight. The first step? Start by Believing. When a survivor reaches out to tell their story, we need to listen without judgment, without skepticism. We need to believe them…because we all know someone whose life has been touched by sexual assault—whether it's a friend, a family member, or even ourselves. The more we normalize these conversations, the stronger we become in pushing back against rape culture and the systems that perpetuate it. Second step…go to the Vivo Alliance website, read all about the alliance and its goals, and sign the petition. And encourage everyone you know to do the same! Spread the word! We need as many signatures on this petition as possible! An important side note: if you're finding value in these episodes, please take a moment to leave a 5-star rating on your podcast platform. AND, please send me a note of support. I can't tell you how much your emails mean to me—they fuel my passion to keep this podcast going. Here's my email address: dave@sasstories.com I truly look forward to hearing from you! Thank you again for being part of this journey with me. Don't miss next week's episode as I bring you a new, compelling episode —right here on Sexual Assault Survivor Stories, the SASS Podcast. See you next week. In the meantime, we encourage you to share this episode with your friends, family, and colleagues. Spread the word about Sexual Assault Survivor Stories, as we continue to amplify the voices of survivors and educate the public and professionals on the importance of trauma-informed care. Together, we Subscribe and Support: Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode of Sexual Assault Survivor Stories; and, give us a five-star rating! Your support helps us continue to provide this important platform for survivors and advocates alike. I hope you will also do your part to bring justice to victims and survivors of rape and sexual assault. You can do that by sharing this episode with others. Also, please follow the Instagram page of sexualassaultsurvivorstories. It also helps the show grow, which is what I hope to accomplish to help lessen the prevalence of rape and sexual assault, as well as the prevalence of rape culture that surrounds us all. It only takes a minute, and I truly appreciate your support. On another note: I am a strong advocate and supporter of Survivor School (SS), founded and directed by CEO Arci Grey. In fact, Arci has made me a consultant to SS as she maneuvers the intricacies of directing and managing the content and growth of her amazing organization. I encourage you to strongly consider becoming a member of SS, and as an affiliate would appreciate it, if you do decide to become a member, to use this link: https://www.survivor-school.com/?ref=DAVEMARKEL Thanks again for listening! And as always, listed below are some additional important and meaningful websites I hope you'll take a look at and learn more about. https://www.vivoalliance.org vivoalliance.org/justicenow, https://www.survivor-school.com/?ref=DAVEMARKEL www.arcigrey.com https://thejanbrobergfoundation.org https://www.napanews.org/ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/invisible-no-more-lady-veterans-stories-of-military/id1754061590 https://startbybelieving.org https://evawintl.org/ https://safeinharmsway.org My email address: dave@sasstories.com