Meet Julian Bell

Coast Guard Veteran, Survivor Advocate & Co-Founder of Safe Waters

Julian Bell is a retired U.S. Coast Guard Chief Warrant Officer, survivor of military sexual trauma, and co-founder of Safe Waters, a survivor-founded nonprofit supporting people affected by sexual assault and harassment in military communities. Drawing on 23 years of service and his own experience navigating trauma and healing, Julian brings honesty, compassion, and a deeply personal perspective to conversations about sexual violence, leadership, and institutional accountability.

Through his advocacy and speaking, Julian challenges the silence surrounding male survivors and explores how organizational culture shapes whether people feel safe seeking help. His work emphasizes the power of peer support, the importance of listening without judgment, and the responsibility of leaders to respond with care and meaningful action. He invites audiences to consider their own role in building communities where survivors are heard, supported, and treated with dignity.

Julian is pursuing a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology at Pacifica Graduate Institute, with interests in trauma, somatic approaches, and the relationship between personal experience and healing. Whether speaking with students, military personnel, or community leaders, he encourages honest dialogue about vulnerability, recovery, and the possibility of finding connection and purpose after trauma.