Breaking the Silence on Sexual Assault with Cheyenne Wilson

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Many survivors of sexual abuse and assault silently carry questions about what happened to them. Am I truly a victim? Should I report what happened? If so, what are the steps? How do I disclose this to family members? 

Join me and Cheyenne Wilson, sexual assault advocate and author of We Are the Evidence, as we explore the power of breaking the silence around your experience, the importance of healing in community, and how to find the resources that are right for you. Plus, you’ll hear about the unlikely event that fired Cheyenne up and motivated her to write this book. 

Cheyenne’s Bio: Cheyenne Wilson, BSN, is a passionate advocate and author dedicated to supporting and empowering survivors of sexual assault. At 29, she wrote We Are the Evidence: A Handbook For Finding Your Way After Sexual Assault. This groundbreaking resource features contributions from 25 experts, including therapists, lawyers, and survivors, offering a comprehensive guide to healing and resilience. With a background in social services and a career in nursing, Cheyenne combines her professional expertise with personal experience to create resources that validate and uplift survivors. 

Resources Mentioned in this Episode: 

• What is Polyvagal Theory?
• A Well-Trained Wife by Tia Levings
• Recovering from Cults and Religious Trauma Through Writing with Tia Levings

Episode Highlights: 

• 3:40 Why Write Something Other Than a Memoir
• 5:45 Going from Crushed to Fired Up
• 9:12 The Power of Community and the Pain of The Friend Response
• 15:05 Finding a Community When You Don’t Know Where to Look
• 19:45 Writing a Nonfiction Book that Touches on Your Experiences
• 21:47 What If Your Assault Happened Decades Ago  
• 26:45 Recruiting Experts and Survivors for Your Book
• 28:38: The Need to Continue Healing
• 31:26: Finding the Right Therapist
• 39:15: Cheyenne’s Best Writing Advice

Connect with Cheyenne:
Website: https://wearetheevidence.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/WeAreTheEvidence
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/cheyenne-wilson-3a5041191

Connect with your host, Lisa:
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Produced by Espresso Podcast Production