“Neil calls on us—the women, the survivors—to rely not on the (in)justice of men, but on each other, and hopes that her book can be a catalyst for American women to build community and solidarity against abuse.”
A Former Prosecutor's Guide to Healing and Justice After Sexual Violence
Outcry Witness: A Former Prosecutor’s Guide to Healing and Justice After Sexual Violence is JoDee Neil’s account of surviving sexual assault, written from the perspective of an attorney and former prosecutor who spent her career in the courtroom on the other side of cases like her own. It is part memoir and part practical guide to what disclosure actually does — for the person disclosing, and for a justice system that handles it badly.
“Neil calls on us—the women, the survivors—to rely not on the (in)justice of men, but on each other, and hopes that her book can be a catalyst for American women to build community and solidarity against abuse.”
A groundbreaking exploration of trauma, healing, and empowerment from a seasoned courtroom lawyer
Outcry Witness: A Former Prosecutor’s Guide to Healing and Justice After Sexual Violence is JoDee Neil’s account of her own sexual assault and what followed, written with the perspective of a career spent prosecuting these cases. She writes about what disclosure costs and what it makes possible, about how the justice system treats survivors even when they know it from the inside, and about interrupting the harm early rather than after it compounds.
JoDee Neil bravely steps out of her professional role to share her personal journey as a survivor of sexual assault. Through a powerful blend of raw honesty and professional insight, the author reveals how the act of disclosure itself can become a transformative tool for healing—not only for survivors but for the justice system and society at large.
This memoir-meets-manifesto delves deep into the complex relationship between sexual abuse and its far-reaching consequences, including self-destructive behaviors, substance dependence, and the perpetuation of silence that allows harm to continue. The author’s dual perspective as both a legal professional and survivor provides an unprecedented look into the challenges of navigating the justice system, even for those intimately familiar with its workings. Through a series of intimate narratives and professional observations, Outcry Witness serves as a vital preventive tool for young people, translating urban myths into practical guidance and addressing the devastating “domino effect” of trauma. It offers strategies to either prevent the initial traumatic event or interrupt its cascade through early intervention and support, potentially saving countless individuals from experiencing similar pain. Outcry Witness is not just a self-help guide; it’s a call to action, a source of empowerment, and a beacon of hope for anyone touched by the far-reaching effects of sexual assault. It promises to be an invaluable resource for those seeking to understand, heal from, or prevent the cycle of trauma in our society.
In this revelatory exploration of trauma, healing, and declaration of power, a courtroom lawyer whose career is focused on helping others now shares her own journey as a survivor of sexual assault. Through raw honesty and professional lessons learned, JoDee reveals how the act of disclosure itself becomes a profound tool of healing and transformation—not just for survivors, but for the justice system and society at large.
Drawing from decades of legal experience and personal healing, this memoir-meets-manifesto illuminates the far-reaching consequences of sexual abuse: self-destruction, substance dependence, and the cycle of silence that perpetuates harm. The author brings a unique dual perspective as a fighter for people in need and as a survivor, detailing what even those most familiar with the justice system must overcome when dealing with sexual assault—for themselves and for those in need.
Most critically, this book provides perspective and tools of prevention for young people, translating urban myth into practical guidance for the next generation — by helping prevent the devastating “domino effect” of trauma with strategies for early intervention and support. As a new resource for survivors of sexual assault, this book bridges gaps between professional expertise and personal experience, offering an unprecedented look at how disclosure—on one’s own terms—can become the most powerful act of self-reclamation. It speaks directly to survivors, parents, professionals, and anyone committed to understanding and breaking the cycle of trauma, while offering hope and concrete pathways toward healing.
Category: Mental Health, Nonfiction
Publication Date: April 7, 2026
ISBN (Paper): 978-1-965766-19-4
ISBN (Ebook): 978-1-965766-36-1
List Price: $21.95
Pages: 212
Trim size: 6 x 9
Judge Michael H. Schneider, Jr. (Ret.)"Outcry Witness is both a personal revelation and a rallying call to survivors of childhood trauma and sexual abuse. Blending her own harrowing journey of disclosure and two decades of legal experience, JoDee Neil shines a light on the hidden wounds that silently shape our lives. With compassion and hard-won wisdom, she guides readers through the process of facing buried pain, breaking the silence, and reclaiming their sense of self. This powerful book offers not only hope and healing for individuals, but also a blueprint for change.”
Valor McKinney, J.D"Outcry is informative and inspirational. It informs on the options available to survivors and inspires me to write about my own experiences. Outcry is a call for all of us to tap into our inner mama bear and hold people accountable for the betterment of future generations."
Rogge Dunn, D Magazine Best Lawyer Hall of Fame, Top 100 Texas by Texas Monthly, and five-time selection to DCEO's Dallas 500“JoDee is a tireless, tenacious, and terrific advocate for the sexually abused . Everyone can learn from the lessons she teaches in this must-read masterwork.”
Outcry Witness is JoDee Neil’s account of her own sexual assault and what followed, written with the perspective of a career spent prosecuting these cases. She writes about what disclosure costs and what it makes possible, about how the justice system treats survivors even when they know it from the inside, and about interrupting the harm early rather than after it compounds.
In law, the outcry witness is the first person a victim tells about an assault — testimony that carries particular weight in court. JoDee Neil takes the term as her title because the act of telling someone is the book’s subject.
Survivors, parents, and professionals working in and around the justice system. Neil also writes it as a preventive resource for young people, aimed at early intervention.
“Neil calls on us—the women, the survivors—to rely not on the (in)justice of men, but on each other, and hopes that her book can be a catalyst for American women to build community and solidarity against abuse.”
A Rape-Survivor-Turned-Prosecutor Is Teaching Women How to Heal
Read MoreJudge Michael H. Schneider, Jr. (Ret.)"Outcry Witness is both a personal revelation and a rallying call to survivors of childhood trauma and sexual abuse. Blending her own harrowing journey of disclosure and two decades of legal experience, JoDee Neil shines a light on the hidden wounds that silently shape our lives. With compassion and hard-won wisdom, she guides readers through the process of facing buried pain, breaking the silence, and reclaiming their sense of self. This powerful book offers not only hope and healing for individuals, but also a blueprint for change.”
Valor McKinney, J.D"Outcry is informative and inspirational. It informs on the options available to survivors and inspires me to write about my own experiences. Outcry is a call for all of us to tap into our inner mama bear and hold people accountable for the betterment of future generations."
Rogge Dunn, D Magazine Best Lawyer Hall of Fame, Top 100 Texas by Texas Monthly, and five-time selection to DCEO's Dallas 500“JoDee is a tireless, tenacious, and terrific advocate for the sexually abused . Everyone can learn from the lessons she teaches in this must-read masterwork.”
Susan Jones Knape, president, A Case for Women“Neil has done the world such a service by writing this. So many survivors are ‘queens of avoidance’ because that so nicely fits into what society demands. Outcry Witness makes the case for pulling off the Band-Aid, seeing what's underneath and truly healing—finally. What a brave and needed book.”
Bearing Witness, The Reporters Inc."For Neil, sharing her story publicly through her book is both personal and practical—a continuation of the advocacy work that has defined her career."
GirlTalkHQ"Whether you are a survivor, a parent, or a professional working with children and families, ‘Outcry Witness’ offers insight, guidance, and a path forward. It is a resource for anyone who believes that protecting children and supporting survivors is the key to changing our world for the better."
One Life Radio"In Outcry Witness, Jodee combines her extensive courtroom experience with a raw, unflinching account of her own journey as a survivor. This book is a weapon of healing and a promise to advance humanity by protecting the interests of the vulnerable. With both professional expertise and personal courage, JoDee shows readers how to end the silence, find your voice, and become a part of a movement that will change society on a massive scale."
Heartbreak, Survival and Resilience After the Guadalupe River Raged
Deluge Before Dawn is Thomas R. Fox’s firsthand account of the flood that tore through Kerr County, Texas, on July 4, 2025, when the Guadalupe River rose in the dark. Fox, a Kerrville resident, gathered testimony from survivors, families, and responders — the overnight evacuation at Camp Mystic, the searches that followed, and the rebuilding.
A Caregiver's Journey
Moodshine: A Caregiver’s Journey is a raw, deeply human memoir about loving someone through serious mental illness and learning how to keep going. Liz Colvin shares the realities of caregiving, from stigma and relapse to boundaries, faith, and hard-won hope.
A child’s desperate mental health struggles. A mother’s battles with addiction. A system that failed them both. And a woman determined to help other families avoid the tragedy that befell her own. No Saints Here tells the story of one family’s crisis and how others can avoid the same pitfalls.
Play Like He Would is a true story by Heath Hamrick about the Bremond Tigers, a Texas high school football team that lost sixteen-year-old Jason Yancy to an undiagnosed heart condition during a game in October 1999. Hamrick, the coach’s son, was in the stadium that night, and built the book from interviews conducted in the weeks afterward. After Yancy’s death, his teammates faced an impossible question: How do you continue after losing your heart? This true story follows the Bremond Tigers as they honor their fallen friend’s memory with a simple motto: “Play Like He Would.”
