183. Darlene Lekowski: She Buried the Truth as a Child…What Happened When It Resurfaced?

Before I get into these notes, I want to pass along this from this week's guest, Darlene Lekowski. She mentioned during our conversation that her audiobook, Shattering Silence, is dropping to just ninety-nine cents this coming Thursday, April 2nd, as her release-day promo. Go to amazon.com and look-up her book title, again—shattering silence, and you'll find the promotional deal. This is a limited-time opportunity, so if you're hearing this on or before april 2nd, 2026, go take a look—you won't want to miss this audiobook in Darlene's own voice! ****************************************************************************** This week I sat down with Darlene Lekowski, a survivor of sibling sexual trauma and abuse, who carried a secret for more than fifty years before finding her voice. What unfolds in this conversation is not just a story of what happened to her as a child, but what it means to live an entire life shaped by silence… and what it takes to finally break it. Darlene shares how growing up in a family where appearances mattered forced her into a reality where speaking out didn't feel like an option. Instead, she learned to survive by staying quiet, staying in control, and protecting everything around her—even at the expense of herself. And as she explains, that kind of survival doesn't just stay in childhood… it follows you into adulthood, into relationships, into every corner of your life. But this conversation isn't just about what was taken from her. It's about what she chose to take back. When the truth she had buried for decades came to the surface, Darlene was faced with a decision that so many survivors wrestle with—stay silent or finally stand in it. What she did next changed everything, not just for her, but for the people who will hear her story and recognize themselves in it. There's a depth to this conversation that's hard to put into words. It's about courage, yes… but it's also about release. About what happens when you stop trying to hold it all together and start allowing yourself to move forward in a different way. Darlene is now using her voice to reach others who are still carrying their own silence, and her story is one that will stay with you long after this episode ends. An important side note: if you're finding value in this show and these conversations, please consider leaving a 5-star rating on your podcast platform—it truly helps more people find these stories. You can also follow Sexual Assault Survivor Stories on Instagram and 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. And if you're a victim or survivor and you feel like you might be ready to share your story—whether for your own healing or to help someone else—reach out to me. We can start a conversation, with no pressure and no expectations. You can email me directly at dave@sasstories.com. Please include a phone number where I can reach you, because I genuinely prefer to talk with people who are considering guesting. Thank you to everyone who has already reached out—and please keep those emails coming. I truly look forward to hearing from you. Here are some critically important links that I hope you'll take the time to explore. Where a contribution is requested, please consider doing so. Thank you—for listening, for believing survivors, and for being part of this community. Facebook: Darlene Lekowshi Instagram: @darlenelekowski darlene-lekowski.com https://documenttheabuse.org https://hassl.uk/ https://saprea.org/ https://whattheydontsay.com https://1in6.org/ https://time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/repeat_rape.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com https://soulwisesolutions.com https://safeinharmsway.org https://startbybelieving.org https://evawintl.org/ As mentioned, and emphasized, it's time to Normalize the Conversation.™ And please remember to Start by Believing…because we all know someone whose life has been impacted by rape or sexual assault. (Check out https://evawintl.org/ & https://startbybelieving.org for more information on "Start By Believing"!) Thank you for tuning in. --Dave