Mar 28, 2023
25. Julian Jones: A Male Survivor Tells His Story of Relationship Rape, and How He Survived
WARNING: This episode is very graphic, explicit, and detailed in the descriptions of rape, sexual assault, and drugging that occurred to this guest; it is not appropriate for children, and extreme discretion is advised in keeping the listening audience restricted to only appropriately aged and emotionally capable persons.
Julian Jones texted me. He wanted me to know that he had listened to every episode of Sexual Assault Survivor Stories. And he wanted me to know that he is a survivor…a survivor with COMPLEX PTSD (CPTSD), but a survivor, none-the-less. And Julian wanted me to know that he is ready to talk about his relationship rape because he was so inspired by my previous guests, Caroline Markel Hammond, Haley Roma, Arci Grey, and all of the other guest survivors. And Julian wants everyone to be aware of how strong rape culture is in Australia, and how he wants to do something about it…by talking about it and making people aware of the vast prevalence of relationship and other kinds of rape and sexual assault. Because he knows from experience of these elements. Julian impressed me—and in short order made me realize that he was definitely someone I wanted you to hear from.
I cannot begin to tell you how impressive Julian is…for many reasons (some of which I just listed), but you’ll pick up on that straightaway as you listen to this episode. I was constantly in awe of how articulate Julian is in telling his story, and of how courageous and brave he is to tell his story despite the threats he has received for talking about his experience. But most of all, I was totally in awe of how authentic and forthright Julian is about his own rape and survival story. He is in the ongoing process of healing, even though he knows what happened to him he will never be able to forget. But he’s okay with that because it has inspired him to tell others; and because he wants to do his part to bring justice to victims and survivors of rape and sexual assault.
I want to remind you to follow Julian’s example. One of the best ways to do that is to Start by Believing. And, please, tell everyone you know, and all your family, to listen to Sexual Assault Survivor Stories; and please rate and subscribe to/follow this podcast. Feel free to drop me a note and give me your thoughts about Sexual Assault Survivor Stories; I’d love to read your comments. Thanks for listening!