Survivor Voices is a powerful series amplifying the lived experiences of those who have endured trauma and found strength in healing. These are their stories; raw, real, and resilient.
William “Billy” R. Dinkel is a survivor and speaker from Minnesota who has dedicated his life to raising awareness about childhood trauma. His voice, grounded in lived experience, speaks candidly to audiences ranging from law enforcement to victim advocacy organizations. Billy’s story is one of resilience, healing, and a fierce commitment to truth.
Raised on a small farm in central Minnesota, Billy endured years of traumatic experiences, including long-term, and at times violent, childhood sexual abuse from the ages of 8 to 13. The harm came from someone close to the family: a person who was allowed continued access to children despite signs of danger. Compounding this, Billy’s home life was marked by verbal and physical abuse from his father, a man described as both devoutly religious and deeply volatile.
In those early years, Billy lived in a state of survival. Dissociation became his way of coping, separating from his body and emotions during incidents of trauma. “It was as if I was floating above… watching some other boy get abused… but it was me,” he recalls.
Attempts to disclose the abuse were met with silence or dismissal. When he reached out to his mother, he was shushed. When he turned to his priest, he was laughed at. These moments deepened his sense of isolation and reinforced the silence surrounding his pain.
Billy left the family farm at 18 and began what would become a lifelong journey of healing. Early on, he grappled with suicidal thoughts and an overwhelming lack of self-worth. Like many children in abusive environments, he internalized the pain and believed it was his fault. It took time, and significant emotional work, to begin unraveling those beliefs.
A Turning Point
In 1995, when Billy chose sobriety. “That was the beginning,” he says. In 2008, he took another major step forward by attending The Meadows, a renowned trauma treatment center in Arizona. There, he found deeper understanding and new tools to help him move forward.
Over the years, Billy has engaged in extensive healing practices. He’s invested hundreds of hours in talk therapy, particularly in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and he continues to work with Quantum Neuro Reset Therapy (QNRT). He prioritizes daily habits that support his wellness, including getting adequate rest, regular exercise, and maintaining a holistic approach to nutrition; even while acknowledging ongoing challenges, like managing sugar cravings.
Two books have played a pivotal role in Billy’s recovery: The Body Keeps the Score by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk and The Deepest Well by Dr. Nadine Burke Harris. He describes the former as “like my Bible,” underscoring how essential knowledge and education have been to his healing.
Billy is now working with a close friend to write his story in book form. He hopes to complete the book and launch a website to reach more people and secure additional speaking engagements. His ultimate goal is to educate and encourage others, showing that healing, while difficult, is possible. His story was featured in the St. Cloud Times.
Public speaking has become one of Billy’s most powerful tools. He has shared his story with professional groups such as the Minnesota and Iowa Sex Crimes Investigators. He’s been invited to speak to a range of audiences, and next month, he’ll take his message into a Minnesota prison to address individuals convicted of sexual offenses, a space where his voice carries weight, both as a victim and a survivor. “I’m nervous but excited,” he shares. “I get incredible feedback and am eager to do more.”
Through his work, Billy continues to challenge misconceptions about trauma and healing. He addresses common societal responses like “You need to forgive your family” or “Get over it already,” and reminds audiences that recovery is not linear, nor is it quick. “We overestimate how resilient victims and survivors are,” he says.
Billy finds peace in nature as an avid hunter and continues his healing through movement, rest, therapy, and mindful living. His journey is not over, but it’s one marked by strength, clarity, and an unshakable dedication to breaking the silence.
In speaking out, Billy honors the boy he once was and the countless others still waiting to be heard.
To those currently struggling with similar experiences, Billy offers this advice: “Work hard to find the right therapist. Finding a trauma-informed therapist is imperative. Once you find the right people, you’ll be able to be vulnerable with yourself in front of them. Empathy and forgiveness must begin with yourself.”
Contact Billy: dinkel_william@yahoo.com
Every survivor’s story is a testament to resilience, courage, and the power of truth. By sharing these lived experiences, we shine a light into the shadows, break the silence, and remind others that healing is possible. Survivor Voices exists to amplify these truths, because every voice matters, and every story has the power to change the world. Thank you for reading.
Each year, about 1,990 U.S. children die from abuse (5.5 every day). This petition calls on Congress to address this urgent crisis and protect our nation’s most vulnerable.
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