Disrupting The Trauma Cycle w/ Dany Pen

Trigger & Content Warning: Topics will include mentions of genocidal / sexual violence and child abuse

(S6, EP 7) Cambodian human rights advocate leader Dany Pen joined me for this week's episode as we talk about her work to support survivors of violence. Her dad's side of the family were executed at the infamous Tuol Sleng Prison Center during the Khmer Rouge and after learning of her family's tragic fate there, Dany was compelled to go into human rights advocacy work and support survivors from Cambodia, to America, to Canada and currently in Bermuda where she resides. We spent time talking about how the petition that we were working on with members of the Cambodian and Cambodian diaspora brought a collective response and call-to-action on VICE News' controversial piece featuring a white photographer / artist who digitized the photos of civilian prisoners at Tuol Sleng without consent. Listen for more on this episode!

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Bio:

Dany Pen is a Human Rights/Court Advocate, the Executive Director of Raleigh International Bermuda; and Founder of Women's A.C.T, an international advocacy group pushing for equality, justice, empowerment and support for survivors of sexual assault, violence and domestic abuse.

She was also formerly the Commissioner of Human Rights in Bermuda and the Education & Communication Officer at the Bermuda Fine Art Trust. This made her the first Khmer/Cambodian Woman to serve on the Human Rights Commission in the country of Bermuda.

In 2016 in Canada, she was honoured with the "World Builder" award by OCAD University, which is the highest honours bestowed upon individuals who have made substantive humanitarian contributions to their community and culture; and individuals who are active in supporting global causes. She is also the first Khmer/Cambodian woman to be honoured with this prestigious award in Canada.

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Season 6 is sponsored by Red Scarf Revolution (RSR).  RSR is a merchandise line that honors and celebrates the Cambodian diaspora identity and experience. Feel free to check out their merch, and get yourself a t-shirt, hat, or other gifts. Be sure to visit www.redscarfrevolution.com or on their IG @red_scarf_revolution