Trigger warning: Child sexual abuse

We’ve said before that survivors of child sexual abuse often end up more resilient than others, purely because of what they have had to live through.

Well Malika Reese is possibly the purest example of that, because not only did she survive abuse as a child, she also went on to face her perpetrator and see him charged, survive a robbery and survive having a car run her and her baby down.

Malika Reese was born in California in the 70’s, to a White writer and a Black writer.

As an emcee, speaker, writer, musician and storyteller, Malika has been performing for over 30 years. She is Artist in Residence and celebrant at Tender Funerals. She has taught music, produced dozens of community events, co-written multiple shows and performed at many places, including Sydney Opera House, TEDx, Woodford Folk Festival and Sydney, Adelaide, Darwin and Melbourne Fringe Festivals. She is a founding member of The Church of the Clitori.

Malika has also written an educational play called ”A Gentle Talk About Death for Little Ones”. She will follow this up with "A Gentle Talk About Bodies for Little Ones”. She is an outspoken advocate to bring awareness about CSA and works closely with Women’s groups to speak out against DV

In this episode she shares:

• What life looked like growing up and how she moved around
• Her experience being groomed by her step father
• How her grandmother gave up everything to try and protect her
• What happened at 14 that caused her abuse to stop
• Her realisation about her shame and its effect on her
• What her journey to recovery looked like
• How her abuser children and getting recognition lead her to having him charged
• What the process of having her abuser charged was like
• The moment she and her son were run down by a car and reversed over
• How insurance for the car accident was as traumatising as court for her assault case
• Her perspective on the healing journey

Key Quotes

“I was alone in Australia, at 13, without any family, and living with a paedophile.”

“The car came through in an arc and it hit me, with my son in my arms and we flew through the air.”

More about Malika

Follow her on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

You can get involved with the podcast online

On facebook in our community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/challengesthatchangeus

Or on Instagram: @challengesthatchangeus

If you want to contact the podcast, email us here: support@challengesthatchangeus.com

Or check out our website: www.Challengesthatchangeus.com

If you want to find out more about what Ali does, check out her business via the website: http://www.trialtitudeperformance.com.au

For her other business you can find it through the websites: www.altitudefitnessarmidale.com.au

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