Anne Jensen on religious & sexual abuse, disclosure, and healing intimacy

Anne Jensen on religious & sexual abuse, disclosure, and healing intimacy

Author: Molly Coeling April 26, 2022 Duration: 1:03:41

"I'm still struggling with 'my body is my own'... It really does make me angry because it feels like I'm missing out on this wonderful thing that you experience with a partner."

 

In this episode, Molly interviews Anne Jensen, a survivor of childhood sexual abuse within a religious cult, shares her journey over the past several years after disclosing the abuse to her family. She discusses how the process of disclosing was retraumatizing for her, how she started doing the true work of healing when she was truly ready, the role of religion & purity culture in her silencing and disempowerment, and her ongoing struggles with intimacy.

 

Anne was born and raised in a non-denominational Christian cult in Ontario, Canada, where she endured years of sexual, emotional, and religious abuse. After her family moved out of the community, she spent her teenage years and early twenties in evangelicalism trying desperately to find some kind of healing. She stayed silent about the abuse until she was forced to reveal it in 2015. Since then she has left religion and fully committed herself to her own healing journey which has included talk therapy, yoga, meditation, and medication. She started sharing her story on social media in the hopes that it would encourage other survivors and make them feel less alone. Since she spent so many years suffering in silence, she has made it her mission to use her voice to advocate for survivors of both sexual and religious abuse. She is currently writing her memoir and hopes to get it published one day.

 

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SUBSCRIBE to the show to be the first to hear about new episodes!

 

Contact Anne: annemargaretjensen@gmail.com

Twitter: @annemargaretj

IG: @annemargaretj

 

Contact Molly: www.theembodyconnection.com // molly@theembodyconnection.com

 

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Special thanks to:

 

Jenn Baykan, virtual assistant for creatives: https://www.jbaykan.com/

 

Dave Hiltebrand for intro and outro music original composition: https://www.davehiltebrand.com/

 

Gina McLaughlin Photography for photo and graphic design: https://www.facebook.com/ginamclaughlinphotography/?fref=tag


Hosted by Molly Coeling, Beyond MeToo: Healing the Wounds of Sexual Trauma moves the essential conversation from public reckoning to personal restoration. This space is dedicated to the often quiet, ongoing work that follows speaking out-the complex journey toward wholeness. Each episode explores practical pathways for healing, considering both the inner landscape of recovery and the outer systems that impact it. You’ll hear candid discussions that frame healing as an active, multifaceted process, integrating perspectives from somatic practices, mental wellness, and community care. The podcast serves as a companion for those navigating their own path, offering not just solace but tangible frameworks for resilience. It’s a collection of shared stories that highlight strength in vulnerability, emphasizing that recovery is not a linear destination but a series of deliberate, courageous steps. By focusing on the ‘what comes next,’ this series builds a bridge from trauma to a renewed sense of self, acknowledging the physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of the experience. Tune in for a thoughtful, grounded dialogue that honors the hard work of healing while exploring actionable alternatives for moving forward, individually and together.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 34

Beyond MeToo: Healing the Wounds of Sexual Trauma
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