Want to learn the key to supporting survivors of sexual assault and making a real difference in their lives? Rowena Chiu shares her powerful insights and experiences, shedding light on the path to understanding and supporting survivors. Stay tuned to discover how you can be a part of the change and make a positive impact in the lives of survivors.
My special guest is Rowena Chiu
It's an absolute pleasure to introduce Rowena Chiu, an extraordinary survivor and advocate joining us today. Rowena's journey, from being an assistant to Miramax CEO Harvey Weinstein to bravely sharing her experience of sexual assault, is nothing short of inspiring. Her powerful voice has not only contributed to the #MeToo movement but has also sparked crucial conversations about power dynamics and influence in sexual assault cases. With a rich cultural heritage and a global perspective, Rowena brings a unique blend of insight and empathy to the table. Her unwavering commitment to advocating for survivors and fostering change makes her an invaluable voice in our ongoing dialogue about abuse. We're truly privileged to have her with us today.
Rowena Chiu worked as Assistant To Harvey Weinstein in 1998. After leaving the film industry, she has worked in the fields of management consulting (for Accenture in London, McKinsey & Company in Silicon Valley, and PricewaterhouseCoopers in Hong Kong) and international development (for the World Bank in Ethiopia, South Sudan & Washington DC). Rowena holds an MA in English Language & Literature from the University of Oxford, an MSc in International Management For China from the University of London, and an MBA from London Business School. She lives in Silicon Valley with her husband and four young children and is currently working on a memoir and a screenplay about her experiences in the film industry.
"Sit with a survivor. Hear their story, acknowledge their grief. Let them own that space. Give them the space to talk about it. Say all the things that Lori was gracious enough and kind enough to say just now. 'I believe you. I'm here for you. I will listen for as long as it takes for you to come out with your story. I will be that safe space for you.'" - Rowena Chiu
In this episode, you will be able to:
• Explore effective strategies for advocating for sexual assault survivors.
• Discover the importance of cultural sensitivity in addressing sexual assault.
• Understand power dynamics and influence in sexual assault cases.
• Uncover the impact of media portrayal on sexual assault survivors.
• Learn how to create a trauma-informed and survivor-centric society.
Address with cultural sensitivity
Understanding cultural nuances can deeply impact how we approach conversations about sexual assault. For instance, in cultures that value collectivism like Rowena Chiu's Chinese background, the individualistic approach often adopted in the West of isolated support may not be as effective. Instead, broader family and social context need to be taken into account, which demands a healthy dose of cultural sensitivity when providing support or addressing potential impediments to speaking out.
The resources mentioned in this episode are:
• Join the Patreon community called Difference Makers at www.patreon.com/aWorldofDifference to watch the exclusive video episode where Lori Adams-Brown and Rowena Chiu discuss organizations that Rowena supports and get a call to action to make a difference together.
• Follow Rowena Chiu on social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Twitter (https://twitter.com/rowena_chiu?lang=en) , and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/chiu_rowena/) to stay updated on her speaking engagements, advocacy work, and upcoming memoir.
• Reach out to Lori Adams-Brown on Twitter at @LoriAdBr or on Instagram at @LoriAdamsBrown (https://www.instagram.com/loriadamsbrown) for support, prayers, or to share your thoughts on the episode.
• Show support for Rowena Chiu by attending her speaking engagements, especially if she is in your area, and by engaging with her content on social media.
• Consider sitting with a survivor, hearing their story, acknowledging their grief, and offering support by saying, "I believe you, I support you, and I'll sit with you as long as it takes for you to tell your story."
The key moments in this episode are:
00:00:02 - Introduction and Therapy Benefits
00:01:00 - Sponsor Promotion and Trigger Warning
00:03:00 - Guest Introduction and Cultural Background
00:07:49 - Impact of Sexual Assault on Community and Family
00:11:18 - Rowena's Story: Assault, NDA, and 20 Years of Silence
00:14:15 - The Trauma of Speaking Out Publicly
00:15:10 - The Importance of Speaking Out
00:16:32 - Impact of Sharing Personal Story
00:19:34 - MeToo Movement's Impact on Workplace Conversation
00:24:43 - Centering Survivor Stories
00:28:24 - Women's identifica...
