When the body feels like a “crime scene”, how do you heal? Listen as Jane and Marlee Liss discuss healing after sexual violence, reconnecting with your body, why the court system so often fails survivors, and how restorative justice and a rethink of masculinity could offer a better path forward.
When the body feels like a “crime scene”, how do you heal? Listen as Jane and Marlee Liss discuss healing after sexual violence, reconnecting with your body, why the court system so often fails survivors, and how restorative justice and a rethink of masculinity could offer a better path forward.
Marlee Liss is an award-winning speaker, leading survivor advocate, author and somatic educator. Her personal survivor case set precedent in the North American legal system, and in 2024 she founded Survivors 4 Justice Reform, a global, volunteer-run, survivor-led coalition that works to advance policy change that challenges the failures and violence of punitive, carceral systems.
Marlee shares how writing became central to her healing, from late-night scribbling to get the feelings out of her body, to a way of connecting with others. Her forthcoming book, If I Had Known Then (February 9th 2027), follows her experience of healing and fighting for justice after trauma. This was a conversation we were looking forward to for months, and it’s one you won’t want to miss.
The full 40-minute episode goes deeper into accountability, breaking cycles of violence, and rethinking masculinity. To hear it, become a paid subscriber on Apple Podcasts or on Substack.
As always, take care as you listen. This episode explores sexual violence, the criminal legal system, and alternative justice pathways, we have resources available in the show notes below.
00:22 - Expanding the conversation
01:04 - Writing after trauma
03:01 - Storytelling and empathy
04:23 - Dance: Detachment & reconnection
07:06 - Somatic healing: Our bodies have wisdom
11:46 - How the criminal legal system fails survivors
16:23 - We don't have to be complacent
18:37 - Justice doesn’t look the same for all survivors
19:30 - Survivors 4 Justice Reform
Check out The Defendants Episode 3 - The Perfect Victim: thedefendants.substack.com/episode-3-the-perfect-victim
Or, Episode 6 - I Went Through the Justice System and All I Got was a Branded Stress Ball: thedefendants.substack.com/episode-6-i-went-through-the-justice
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If our conversation with Marlee resonated with you, or if you learnt something new, here are a few of the ways you can support us:
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Is there a person, organisation or business you think we should connect with?
SA Survivor Resource Document - This document contains Canadian, U.S, and global sources to find guidance, information, and aid for survivors of sexual assault. Detailed descriptions of each resource within the document.
Jane Aster Roe - Executive Producer, Host
Rachel Arundel - Executive Producer, Creative Director
Katie Jensen - Executive Producer, Editor, Sound Designer
Dawson Fleming - Production Assistant
Thank you for listening. Be kind to yourself and to one another.