112. Lee Cooper; From Trauma to Triumph: Building Victorious Voices

After a way too long wait for a follow-up interview with Lee Cooper, this week we finally get it done! Lee suggested a follow-up during a conversation we were having a few weeks ago…here it is! I'm thrilled to bring you this episode! In this conversation, Lee provides an update on his ongoing legal battle against his perpetrator, discussing the challenges he has faced within the UK justice system. He shares insights into the trauma of waiting for a trial and the difficulties of navigating police procedures. Additionally, Lee introduces Victorious Voices, a community he has built to support survivors of sexual assault, emphasizing the importance of connection and shared experiences in healing. Lee and I discuss the challenges and triumphs of the Victorious Voices project, which aims to give a voice to survivors of trauma through art. We got explore the impact of a recent exhibition at the University of Glasgow that faced controversy over the visibility of trauma-related art. The discussion emphasizes the importance of community, education, and the need to confront difficult subjects like child sexual abuse (CSA) to normalize conversations around mental health and trauma. You'll hear how the exhibit was moved from it's prominent position of being the first exhibit visible upon enter the building, to a secluded, almost "Invisible" place, nowhere close to its original positioning. Lee wants an apology, not just an excuse for why the exhibit was moved. Here are the names and contact links for writing to personnel at the University of Glasgow in helping our demand for an apology to Lee and the persons depicted in the exhibit who showed their strength and bravery in being photographed for the exhibit: complaints@glasgow.ac.uk principal@glasgow.ac.uk Paul.Sweeney.msp@parliament.scot Carol-Anne.Smith@glasgow.ac.uk Fiona.Quinn@glasgow.ac.uk There's also a petition…and although the exhibit is over and gone, we're asking for your help in the hope that the University will respond by allowing Lee's exhibit to be displayed again! Please sign the petition by going to the link here. In this episode, Lee and I talked about two people in particular who he has become friends with who have also been on this show: Scarlett Robison (Episodes 51 thru 53) and Plaman Dragenov (Episode 70). Again, I encourage you to listen to these episodes, as they are powerful, emotional, and educational! Thank you for being here to listen to Lee's follow-up interview. After you've heard this episode, please do all you can to share this episode with everyone you know. And also, to Start By Believing…because we all know someone whose life has been impacted by rape or sexual assault. Another big favor I would ask is that you rate and subscribe to this podcast. It all helps the podcast grow, which in turn helps bring justice to victims and survivors of rape and sexual assault. By the way, it would be immensely appreciated if you would take just a few seconds of your time to please find the sexualassaultsurvivorstories page on Instagram and hit the follow button!! Thank you for being part of my audience, and please become a regular listener and subscriber! A positive rating would also be greatly appreciated! Here are the links you might be interested in, again, in case the hyperlinks don't work: https://open.spotify.com/track/2DbzxHuEBPNNPNJ297kPj2?si=f41120ddc582452f&nd=1&dlsi=0eded2f8441b4f7c https://www.change.org/p/demand-for-equal-representation-stop-the-silencing-of-abuse-survivors-at-the-uofg And other links I hope you'll take the time to look at: https://www.napanews.org/ https://markel-consulting.com https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/invisible-no-more-lady-veterans-stories-of-military/id1754061590 www.arcigrey.com https://startbybelieving.org https://safeinharmsway.org https://thejanbrobergfoundation.org #napanews #arcigrey #thrivivors #thejanbrobergfoundation #janbroberg #safeinharmsway #epizonstrategy #intentionallyfearless #thelastimsorry #feelingsmall #sasspodcast #traumainformed #sexualassaultsurvivorstories #traumainformedexpert #sexassaultvictim #survivorsunite #rapevictim #sexualassaultsurvivorstories #podcast #markelconsulting #jessicapridelawfirm #awareness #boundaries #gettraumainformed #safeinharmsway #projectbeloved #saan #irishangel #crimevictimsassistancecenter #coloradoassociationofsexcrimeinvestigators #girlsfightback #outdoordefense #worthfightingfor #supportsurvivors #mysurvivorstory #confidence #violenceprevention #awareness #boundaries #empowerment #speaker #trainer #thejanbrobergshow #thrivivors #thejanbrobergfoundation #internationalspeaker #genderequality #equality #selfdefense #selfdefence #safety #youreworthfightingfor #sassyselfdefenseguide #badassselfdefense #imworthfightingfor #vawa #ashforduniversity #amandacoleman #remembermolly #fightrapeculture #forcescience