Sexual Assault Survivor Stories

Sexual Assault Survivor Stories

Author: Dave Markel Language: English Episodes: 50
Hosted by Dave Markel, Sexual Assault Survivor Stories creates a necessary and nuanced space centered on personal narratives and expert understanding. Each week, this podcast shares firsthand accounts from individuals who have experienced sexual assault, offering a raw and respectful look at the journey from victim to survivor. These stories aren't just about the trauma itself; they delve into the complex path of healing, highlighting both the profound adversities faced and the hard-won victories, large and small. Listening provides a window into the emotional and psychological dynamics that define survival, moving beyond simplistic narratives to honor the full, often messy, human experience. Crucially, this isn't a resource only for those directly affected. The podcast deliberately expands the conversation to educate a broader audience. Episodes explore the principles of trauma-informed communication and break down the neuroscience of trauma and memory, explaining how these factors impact a survivor's recall and testimony. This approach fosters deeper empathy and insight, whether you're a supporter, a professional, or anyone seeking to comprehend these issues on a more informed level. By weaving together personal truth and psychological context, this podcast serves as both a sanctuary for shared experience and a vital tool for collective learning.
Episodes
206. Cat Wilson: Unapologetic, Unafraid, and Finally Heard [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:42
After a week off, I'm joined by Cat Wilson, a survivor, advocate, and outspoken voice in the movement to end violence against women. Cat is a HASSL Pro Ambassador and serves as the organization's country representative f…
205. Vanessa Wulff: No One Knew What She Was Surviving [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:32:53
Vanessa Wulff was working toward a future in chiropractic care when she became the victim of multiple sexual assaults and rape. In this episode, she shares what happened during that period of her life and the effects tho…
204. Jeff Kohler: The Courage to Become The Vocal Minority [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:19
Jeff Kohler enlisted in the United States Navy immediately after graduating from high school in 2005. Two years later, he received orders attaching him to the Army's 1st Battalion, 5th Field Artillery, 1st Infantry Divis…
203. Dr. Peter Verdin: "Gold in the Cracks" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:45
For twenty-five years, Dr. Peter Verdin carried the truth of his childhood sexual abuse largely in silence. During those years, he became an accomplished athlete, playing four seasons for the University of Georgia and be…
202. The Betrayal Was Intimate: Understanding Coercive Sexual Assault [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:27
Several of my recent guests have described sexual assault that occurred within an intimate relationship and was accomplished through coercion rather than immediately recognizable physical force. Some of the responses I r…
201. Hannah King (Part 3): Still Hurting. Still Healing. Still Here. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:28
This week I conclude my three-part conversation with Hannah King. What began with the night she was drugged and violently sexually assaulted has become a much larger story about everything rape can leave behind. Hannah s…
199. Hannah King (Part 1): The Long Road Begins Here [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:38
Some stories simply can't be told in a single conversation. This week begins a special three-part series with Hannah King, whose life changed forever after she was drugged and violently sexually assaulted while traveling…
198. Lyndsey Hackford: The Abuse I Thought Was Love [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:52
Domestic violence doesn't usually begin with violence. It often begins with what appears to be love. Small compromises become expectations. Isolation is disguised as protection. Control masquerades as concern. Little by…