Breaking the Silence: Race, Trust, and Identity After Sexual Assault

🎙️ Breaking the Silence: Race, Trust, and Identity After Sexual AssaultWhen we talk about sexual violence, we have to talk about power—and power is shaped by identity.In this episode, host Maci Torres and guest Sarah Enderlein, a sociology graduate student and volunteer advocate, explore how race, ethnicity, and sexuality influence survivors’ experiences after sexual assault.Drawing from research by Kimberlé Crenshaw, Joane Nagel, Charles Gallagher, and Sophie Lanthier, they unpack how stereotypes, systemic racism, and cultural stigma continue to silence survivors of color and LGBTQ+ survivors. Together, they discuss concepts like intersectionality, intersectional sexual-assault stigma, and cultural humility, translating academic insight into real-world advocacy.Listeners will hear about how stereotypes such as the “Strong Black Woman” trope, the “model minority” myth, and immigration fears affect reporting; how media bias shapes public empathy; and what true allyship looks like inside survivor-support systems.Whether you’re an advocate, student, or survivor, this conversation invites you to confront discomfort with compassion and move from awareness to accountability.Trigger warning: This episode discusses sexual assault, racial discrimination, and systemic injustice. Please take care while listening.📘 References:Crenshaw (1989); Nagel (2003); Gallagher (2012); Lanthier (2023); Journal of Interpersonal Violence (2024).If you or someone you love needs support, visit www.ccnetx.org/podcast or call our 24/7 hotline at 903-454-9999.You are not alone.