Justina Pembleton

Justina Lynn Pembleton is a Canadian author, former journalist, and survivor-advocate whose writing is defined by its raw honesty and emotional depth. A graduate of Sheridan College’s Journalism program, she spent years telling other people’s stories before turning to her own—a deeply personal journey shaped by her lived experience with sexual assault. Her debut memoir, Shades of Shame: A Memoir of Survival, Healing, and Rising From the Darkness, explores the silence, shame, and resilience that so many survivors carry. Written like a novel but rooted in truth, the book gives voice to the unspoken realities of trauma while illuminating the strength it takes to heal and reclaim one’s voice. Beyond the page, Justina is committed to breaking the silence around sexual assault and creating space for survivors to be seen, heard, and validated. When she isn’t writing or speaking, she finds grounding in the forests of Western Ontario, where she often hikes with her golden retriever, Piper.