Survivor Shares Journey of Healing, Resilience at Annual CACSC Luncheon

Filmmaker Sasha Joseph Neulinger speaks about overcoming childhood trauma and the importance of support systems for child abuse victims.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 10:35am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extremely abstracted, out-of-focus photograph in warm tones depicting a blurred scene of a child's hand reaching out, conceptually representing the journey of healing and resilience after childhood trauma.A survivor's story of overcoming childhood trauma sheds light on the vital role of support services for child abuse victims.Tyler Today

As April marks National Child Abuse Prevention Month, hundreds of community members gathered in Tyler, Texas for the fifth annual Children's Advocacy Center of Smith County (CACSC) luncheon. The event featured keynote speaker Sasha Joseph Neulinger, a filmmaker and survivor of child sexual abuse, who shared his powerful story of confronting trauma and reclaiming his life. Neulinger emphasized the critical role of support systems like CACSC in helping children heal and overcome abuse.

Why it matters

The CACSC luncheon raises awareness about the prevalence of child abuse and the resources available to support victims in the local community. Neulinger's story highlights the long-lasting impact of childhood trauma and the importance of providing comprehensive services and advocacy for survivors, which were not available when he was a child.

The details

Neulinger endured systematic sexual abuse by two of his uncles and a cousin beginning at age 4. After disclosing the abuse at age 8, a criminal investigation was launched that uncovered a devastating family history of multi-generational trauma. Neulinger has since worked to end the cycle of abuse, including creating the acclaimed documentary 'Rewind' to share his story and educate others.

  • Neulinger began the process of creating 'Rewind' in 2012 shortly after graduating from the film program at Montana State University.
  • 'Rewind' premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2021, earning a Special Jury Mention for Best Documentary Feature.
  • The documentary has since achieved widespread critical acclaim, earning three News & Documentary Emmy nominations in 2021.

The players

Sasha Joseph Neulinger

A filmmaker and survivor of child sexual abuse who shared his journey of confronting trauma and reclaiming his life at the CACSC luncheon.

Children's Advocacy Center of Smith County (CACSC)

A nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and restoring the lives of children who have been victims of physical or sexual abuse or have witnessed violent crimes in Smith County, Texas.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“When I talk about my past, it's definitely not from a place of shame, it's actually from a place of pride. I'm proud of my own resiliency of my choice to confront my trauma and more importantly, I'm just so grateful for the life it's afforded me in terms of how I'm able to show up in my marriage, how I'm able to show up as a father, and how I'm able to embrace the beauty in life.”

— Sasha Joseph Neulinger, Filmmaker and Survivor

“To anyone out there who's experienced significant trauma or is or is on their healing journey, what I would say is that there's a huge difference between rock bottom and a dead end. Rock bottom is a painful spot; it can feel dark, cold, (and) isolating, but it's not a dead end. We can't change the past, we can't choose what's happening around us, but we do get to choose the next steps that we take.”

— Sasha Joseph Neulinger, Filmmaker and Survivor

What’s next

Neulinger urged those who might be in the midst of their own trauma to recognize that healing is possible. The CACSC also encourages community members to participate in 'Blue Friday' on April 10 and the Battle of the Badges softball tournament later in the month to raise funds and awareness for the center.

The takeaway

Neulinger's story highlights the critical role of support systems like the CACSC in providing comprehensive services and advocacy for child abuse survivors. His experience underscores the importance of addressing the prevalence of child abuse in the community and ensuring all children have access to the resources they need to heal and overcome trauma.