Description

Kelly Johnson is a writer, public speaker, community engagement professional, and survivor of sexual violence. She has her masters in Public History from American University and is extremely passionate about literature. She created a Writers for Hope, which seeks to raise money for The Every Voice Coalition and the Lambda Legal Fund through the annual auctioning of books, writing advice, and story-based items. Today she comes onto the podcast to share her story of survival. Early one morning, Kelly was brutally beaten and violated by a stranger who was waiting outside her home. In what she calls the shattering of her mind, Kelly takes us back to that morning and the far-reaching effects that her trauma has on her life.

Topics/Triggers:

• The cultural and societal systems that cultivate rape culture
• Retelling of the sexual assault, including being beaten and raped in her apartment
• The response from her local police and medical professionals
• Dealing with the shared trauma of her best friend and loved ones
• The myth of what survivors are "supposed" to do
• Defense mechanisms
• STD prevention post-assault
• The powerful motivator of anger
• Choosing not to forgive

Follow Kelly on Twitter to stay up to date with all she does for survivors! ​

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If you or anyone you know is suffering through trauma contact the National Sexual Assault hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or online for 24/7 support. (This podcast is not a replacement for psychotherapy or mental health care. You can obtain a referral for mental health care provider from your primary care physician, or search on Psychology Today’s Find a Therapist directory)

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