E59: Community as Justice | Lauren Weingarten on Survivor-Informed Care and Building Safe Spaces Online – Advocacy in Action

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the I Have the Right to Aspire podcast, hosts Katie Shipp and Chessy Prout welcome guest co-hosts Maria and Kylie alongside Lauren Weingarten, founder of MTMV Community Support Network, one of the first social media-based support spaces for survivors of trauma, abuse, and sexual violence, plus their supporters. Lauren shares how she launched MTMV anonymously in 2019 amid her own healing journey, driven by isolation after assault and a stubborn belief that others needed connection too; it has since grown into global peer support groups, workshops, consulting, and events emphasizing "community as our culture."The group unpacks survivor-informed care as building on trauma-informed principles, while navigating social media's unique challenges. They explore why joyful, bright, accessible online content counters silence around harm; how community becomes justice when legal systems fail (offering validation and solidarity instead); tensions in demanding survivor stories without support; and practical tips for building safer digital spaces. The conversation ends with Lauren's "I have the right to be me" statement, embracing her full self amid ongoing growth.To learn more about MTMV Community Support Network, visit MTMVsupport.com or follow @MTMVcommunity on Instagram and Threads.For more information on I Have The Right To, visit https://ihavetherightto.org/​Support the showAspire is produced by BenHudakProductions.com