Ep 12: Speaking Out On Sexual Assault with Paola Piers-Torres

We Got This!... Or Do We?!

Subject matter in this episode includes graphic descriptions sexual assault. Please listen respectfully. If you or someone you know is a survivor of sexual assault and/or abuse, a list of resources can be found below.

On Thursday, September 27 Dr. Christine Blasey Ford swore to tell the truth and nothing but the truth in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee. She was telling her truth about what happened to her when she was in high school, a terrible incident took place that has affected her since it happened. Dr. Ford’s story is not particularly out of the ordinary, sad to say but true. She was sexually assaulted by a boy her age, an evening that was fairly unremarkable to anyone else, including her assaulter. What is remarkable about this situation is that the accused is a man currently being interviewed for the highest appointment in the United States of America, to be a judge on the Supreme Court. A lifetime appointment. Lifetime. A position where, if approved by the Senate, he will be making life altering decisions for the American people. His name is Brett Kavanaugh.

On this episode of “We Got This! Or Do We?!” Yunie and Ali discuss the taboo nature of speaking out on sexual assault, why it’s important to talk about, and how we (but in particular WOMEN) can feel supported and hopeful in a time where we aren’t sure if we got this. The ladies are joined by the incomparable, Paola Piers-Torres, who bravely shares her personal story of sexual assault.

We’re honored to have Paola as a guest on the show and we invite you to learn more about her work as an award winning Cuban filmmaker, educator, and activist. Paola was born and raised in Chicago and received a masters from the Media Studies program at the New School where she created and directed The Chicago Mixtape.

The Chicago Mixtape is a short documentary that tells the stories of marginalized Chicago youth who are utilizing transformational programs, to find their voices through the arts and express and empower themselves.

Other works include contributions to “America By The Numbers with Maria Hinojosa,” a PBS series whose episode, The New Mad Men, won the Imagen Award for Best National Informational Program.

She is currently a freelance producer residing in Brooklyn, New York where she tends to her garden and overall coziness of her house when she is not making films. (Real life: magic garden in BK).

RESOURCES:

If you are a survivor of sexual assault or abuse, please know that you are not alone.
We are here for you, to support you, to listen to you.

National Sexual Assault Hotline
1-800-656-4673

Me Too https://metoomvmt.org/resources

Safe Horizon https://www.safehorizon.org/get-help/

Susan B. Anthony https://www.sba-list.org/pregnancy-help

National Organization for Women (NYC Chapter) http://nownyc.org/service-fund/

Mentions and Things We Listen To:

@2:15 Senator Klobuchar questions Brett Kavanaugh regarding drinking to the point of not remembering

The Daily (by The NY Times): https://www.nytimes.com/column/the-daily

Vice News: The Most Outrageous Questions Senators Asked Anita Hill In 1991

60 Minutes: Rewind Clarence Thomas Talks About Anita Hill