Ashonda Cabral, LISW

04/16/2026

📚 Book Update 🩷

After Ohio University Eastern’s “Day in the Life of a Social Worker” Event where I was honored to share my “Why” and life journey throughout this career path. I felt inspired to update the ending of my book, You Can Say No, to place even more emphasis on an important message: youth can say no to adults when something feels wrong.

This message is deeply personal and part of my passion — making sure youth feel seen, heard, and empowered to have agency and autonomy over their own bodies, while also helping them identify the safe and trusted adults in their lives.

It means so much to know this book has touched so many people and has felt worthy enough to be shared with others. Every conversation, every family, every classroom, and every safe adult who uses this message helps strengthen the voices of children.

As we honor Child Abuse Awareness Month, thank you for continuing to support safe voices, body boundaries, and youth empowerment.

📚 book links below:

Amazon Kindle + paperback
Hardcover (original version currently available on Amazon due to publishing page requirements)
Link - https://a.co/d/03oqjPiM

IngramSpark Kindle + paperback + hardcover
Link - https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=wlfBTN1dO5a0fSa7kBNXW471zDOQWeZfWkRRvxD0clr

Thank you all for believing in this mission and helping children know: their voice matters, their body belongs to them, and that they are allowed to say no to adults when it comes to unwanted touch.

04/16/2026

03/07/2026

I am incredibly grateful to have been invited to serve as the keynote speaker for Compassion in Action at Ohio University Eastern this week. During Social Work Month, it felt especially meaningful to stand in a room filled with social workers, students, alumni, and community partners who are all committed to supporting children, families, and communities.

I was invited to share my story—my testimony—and the journey that led me to write You Can Say No. My goal was to challenge some of the outdated narratives many of us grew up hearing, particularly the idea of “stranger danger.”

Research and prevention work show us that harm often doesn’t come from strangers. Through research shared by Brave Beginnings and studies such as Learning from Child Molesters: What Offenders Tell Us About Prevention, offenders themselves have described how they manipulate trust and silence children. Some of their statements are chilling but important for us to understand:

On targeting children❗️

“I look for the child who seems lonely, who wants attention.”

This highlights how offenders often look for emotional vulnerability, not random opportunity.

On testing boundaries❗️

“You start small and see how the child reacts.”

Offenders often describe gradual boundary testing, sometimes called grooming, to see if a child will resist or tell.

On avoiding children who might disclose❗️

“I avoid the child who seems confident or close to their parents.”

Many offenders report avoiding children who appear likely to tell or who have strong adult support.

These truths remind us why prevention must go beyond warnings about strangers. Children are no match for adult manipulation. That is why it is so important that we give children language, confidence, and safe adults who will listen.

I am deeply thankful that my book You Can Say No has been able to provide encouragement and words for so many children, families, and helpers who want to empower youth with voice and autonomy.

I am also incredibly grateful for the conversations, networking, and shared commitment in that room. It was an honor to share space with so many social work anchors who have paved the way and continue doing the hard, compassionate work every day.

Happy Social Work Month ! ✨

Believe children.
Listen to children.

03/07/2026

I am incredibly grateful to have been invited to serve as the keynote speaker for Compassion in Action at Ohio University Eastern. 💚

It was an honor to share space with so many passionate social workers, students, alumni, and community partners who are committed to supporting individuals and families throughout our region.

Together, we explored the importance of challenging outdated narratives and continuing to find more supportive ways to empower youth through autonomy, safety, and advocacy.

Thank you to Ohio University Eastern for creating a space where learning, collaboration, and compassion can come together. I’m grateful for the meaningful conversations and inspired by the continued commitment to this work across our communities.

02/11/2026

Check out the featured presenter! 😉
So excited to return to campus spaces during Social Work Month and share my story, passion, and purpose with future social workers and community members at Ohio University Eastern. Grateful for opportunities that center compassion, advocacy, and growth. 🩷

02/06/2026

02/06/2026

✨ Exciting Book Update ✨

I’m grateful to share an update to my children’s book, You Can Say No, which continues to support conversations around body autonomy, boundaries, and empowerment for children.

Recent updates include:
• A refreshed back cover
• An updated author page reflecting my continued growth as a clinician and advocate
• Updated name and credentials: Ashonda Cabral, LISW

I’m also honored to be presenting on March 5th at Ohio University Eastern for A Day in the Life of a Social Worker. My topic, “Compassion in Action,” will explore the intersection of lived experience, professional practice, and prevention-focused work with children and families.

Thank you to the educators, clinicians, caregivers, and community partners who continue to support and engage in this work. I look forward to ongoing conversations centered on prevention, connection, and empowering children to use their voice. 🩷

02/04/2026