70. Liberation and Justice After Surviving Sexual Assault

TRIGGER WARNING: This conversation includes discussion about sexual violence, rape, medical examinations after assault, sex, and sexuality. Unfortunately most listeners will have had some interaction with sexual trauma. We hope this conversation helps you move through difficult feelings and find new understanding of what it can mean to heal and/or be liberated from sexual trauma, and empowers you to define what justice means for you in such situations. However we understand the topic of sexual violence is difficult to engage in. Please take care of you and know this is a resource if needed!

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This conversation is maybe best described as a journey to better understanding sexual liberation and justice for survivors of sexual violence and their loved ones. 

In this deep and transformative episode of Impostrix Podcast, host Whitney Knox Lee is joined by Leah Forney, an advocate, consultant, and influential speaker who specializes in sexual health and assault prevention within BIPOC communities. One of her specialties is addressing the need for cultural sensitivity in sexual violence response. 

As they discuss healing from sexual trauma, Whitney and Leah reflect on their personal experiences seeking justice after surviving sexual violence. And Leah shares her insights on how black women are uniquely affected by such trauma. 

In this episode, we also touch on the idea of "purity culture" and the stigmatization of menstrual health. We share cultural myths that we grew up with regarding the use of tampons and the miseducation of young girls regarding how to care for their changing bodies. 

Important themes include reparenting one's self, redefining justice, and finding sexual liberation. Key takeaways revolve around the significance of internal healing rather than external punishment, and the role of cultural and historical nuances in the healing journey. They also touch on societal expectations, faith, and the importance of creating safe spaces for survivors. 

Essential resources mentioned during this episode:
Sexual Assault Advocacy for Victims Everywhere (S.A.A.V.E. Me)

Sensual Faith: The Art of Coming Home To Your Body by Lyvonne Briggs

I Planned For This: Life Organizer for When It's Needed by Whitney Knox Lee

Join the WhatsApp group!

Support these charities to help advance culturally sensitive advocacy for survivors of sexual violence, to end period poverty for incarcerated women, and to promote menstrual and reproductive health education. 
The Courage Couture Gala raising awareness and celebrating the voices of survivors of sexual violence.
The Thurman Perry Foundation Girl Code Program aiming to end period poverty for incarcerated women in the United States.
Scrub Life Cares nonprofit promoting menstrual and reproductive health education and supply donation to girls and women. 


00:00 Introduction and Trigger Warning
00:58 Welcome to Imposter Podcast Season Four
01:48 Focusing on Black Women's Healing
02:39 Introducing Leah Forney
04:32 Understanding Sexual Trauma in Black Women
06:40 Historical Context of Sexual Trauma
10:15 The Impact on Black Men and Families
14:06 Hypersexuality and Healing
22:24 Sexual Liberation and Healthy Sexuality
26:31 Faith, Religion, and Sexuality
31:09 Tampons and Cultural Taboos
33:04 Purity Culture and Public Shaming
34:43 Gender Disparities in Upbringing
37:18 Healing from Sexual Trauma
39:01 Redefining Justice for Survivors
47:54 Reparenting and Inner Child Work
51:1