Photo credit: Shenna Hair of Shair Photography

I would like to introduce you all to Leah M. Forney! She is a sexual assault thriver, author, sexual health educator, trainer, renowned speaker, advocate, and activist. She is the founder and creator of S.A.A.V.E ME, an organization dedicated to empowering organizations to create safe, supportive, inclusive learning and working environments, particularly in marginalized communities. Leah’s inspiration behind such imperative work was born from her own personal and professional experiences. “As a survivor of sexual assault, Leah has turned her personal trauma into a powerful narrative that drives her mission. Her story is not just one of survival but of thriving and leading by example. For the past decade, she has bravely shared her experience, leading crucial conversations with politicians, law enforcement, and attorney generals’ offices. Her advocacy work has made her a respected voice in the fight against sexual violence.” She’s also a published author and the podcast host of “Hey Queen,” which is internationally recognized and syndicated. Leah’s work has earned her several accolades. I received the opportunity to interview her! Check it out below! 

Tell us about your organization, S.A.A.V.E ME and what inspired you to start this movement.

Absolutely. S.A.A.V.E. ME is a movement that was started in 2018 with myself and my beloved friend Carmen Hendrix, who has since passed away. S.A.A.V.E. ME stands for Sexual Assault Advocacy for Victims Everywhere. We created this movement to amplify the voices of sexual assault survivors. 

As a sexual assault survivor myself, I know firsthand how our pain can be ignored and invalidated. Carmen and I wanted to start a movement that created a safe space for survivors to share their stories in various ways. It started as a series of public service announcements that we released on YouTube in April of 2018, and after Carmen’s passing, I have been revamping our movement and will be rolling out some new and innovative services to continue our mission of amplifying survivors voices, providing culturally sensitive education, and engaging in proactive advocacy. 

As a Sexual Assault Thriver, how were you able to find the strength and courage to turn your experience into power and use it to help others? 

Wow! That is such a loaded question, lol. To be honest, I take this journey one day at a time. I rely heavily on my relationship with Jesus Christ, and I have continued to be in therapy. I also have an amazing support system, and I practice a whole lot of self-care. It took me about 4 years in therapy before I started fully showing up and advocating on behalf of sexual assault victims and survivors. 

I understand that you have spoken to and trained educators, law enforcement, attorney generals, etc. regarding sexual assault. Can you dive further into what you do and just how imperative these conversations are that can potentially lead to impactful change?

Absolutely. I am a sexual violence systems disruptor. Organizations and entities partner with me to deconstruct their current approach and practices when it comes to sexual violence services, and I help them reimagine sexual violence services from an innovative, inclusive, survivor-focused, and trauma-informed approach. Over the last decade, I have spoken with and trained educators, law enforcement, attorney generals, and other entities on how to effectively address sexual violence within their learning and workplace environments. These conversations are essential when it comes to addressing the needs of survivors of sexual violence. 

My work focuses mainly on the impact that sexual violence has on marginalized communities such as people of color, indigenous, latinx, and LGBTQIA+, just to name a few. It has been my experience that these conversations have led to these organizations beginning to do the extensive work of deconstructing their policies and procedures and reviewing them to ensure that they are creating safe, supportive, and inclusive environments for all to thrive. 

Both women and men fall victim to sexual violence. I want to ask you specifically about women because there is a common question that frequently comes up whenever a woman speaks about her experiences—a question that admittedly frustrates me. Personally, I feel that it doesn’t matter how long it takes for her to speak out. I’m glad she spoke out! What are your thoughts on why women don’t speak up immediately after sexual violence has taken place, and how can we as a community be more supportive? 

There are so many reasons why a woman doesn’t speak up immediately after being sexually assaulted. One of the biggest reasons is the fear of not being believed. Unfortunately, we live in a society where we continue to ignore and invalidate the pain of a woman. This is perpetrated throughout the DNA of our country. We see it in the healthcare system when a woman complains about being in physical pain and her pain gets ignored. We see it in the criminal justice system when a woman stands up for herself against her abuser only to become a criminal herself. 

It is the lack of belief that a woman, especially a woman of color, could ever be a victim of sexual violence. It is because our pain gets ignored and invalidated so much that it takes us years to finally find the courage to speak up. One of the ways we, as a community, can be more supportive of women and men survivors of sexual violence is to start by believing them. When we believe survivors of sexual violence, we begin to create a culture and a narrative that validates their experience and their story. 

When you’re not busy, what do you enjoy doing for fun?  

Napping and reading are my two favorite pastimes. Because I travel a lot for the work that I do, I have to find time to get in a good nap, even if it is for 30 minutes. I’m also a lifelong student, so I spend a lot of time reading and learning something new. 

When it comes to women and our women’s community, what would you like to see more of? 

I would love to see more of true sisterhood. I think that we use the word “sis” so much that we’ve become desensitized to what it means to truly be a sister to each other. I would love to see us stop using the word “sis” and start becoming the word by truly understanding that we need each other and we are our sister’s keeper. 

Share your websites and/or any social media handles. 

Absolutely,  Check out my website at www.leahmforney.com or you can follow me on social media at leahmforney. 

Before you go, drop a gem or some great advice for our readers out there. Feel free to say whatever compels you. I like to call this section Unpacking Her Thoughts. Let them know, Queen! 

Absolutely. This is the season of the pivot. Do not be afraid to pivot your life and business in the direction that you believe that God is calling you. Be open to the subtle moves of God in this season. He will show you where you are headed if you would be still enough to listen to his instructions. Lastly, Do it Afraid. Fear is a part of the process. Fear is your body’s way of reminding you that you need to rely heavily on God to get you through this moment and season.

Thank you so much, Leah!

Photo credit: Shenna Hair of Shair Photography

Photo credit: Shenna Hair of Shair Photography