Prof. Gómez Featured in Black Girl Burnout Podcast About Black Women, Sexual Abuse & Opting Out of Silence
Jennifer M. Gómez, a faculty member at BU School of Social Work, is featured on the popular podcast Black Girl Burnout in a three-episode series about healing from sexual abuse and violence. Joining her in the discussion is podcast host Kelley Bonner, a licensed clinical social worker.
In the series, titled “Opt Out of Silence,” Gómez and Bonner focus on the unique experiences of Black women and girls after they experience sexual abuse and violence, covering three key areas:
- Part I – The cultural pressures that make it difficult to speak up about abuse – and why “opting out of silence” is critical
- Part 2 – Shifting focus from documenting harm to measuring post-traumatic growth and resilience
- Part 3 – Finding joy in the midst of adversity and harnessing it for personal and collective healing
Black Girl Burnout, one of the top wellness podcasts in the United States, was designed to help Black women manage stress and intentionally seek abundance and joy in their lives. The “Opting Out of Silence” series was released in April 2023 in concurrence with Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Jennifer M. Gómez, PhD, is an assistant professor at BU School of Social Work and a faculty affiliate at the School’s Center for Innovation in Social Work & Health. A Black feminist trauma researcher and race scholar, she developed cultural betrayal trauma theory (CBTT) to examine the impact of oppression on outcomes of violence for marginalized individuals and communities. Her forthcoming book, “The Cultural Betrayal of Black Women & Girls: A Black Feminist Approach to Healing from Sexual Abuse” (American Psychology Association) will be published in summer 2023.