In My Power
An empowering scripted video that examines sexual assault in the Latine community through the lens of intergenerational survival and healing. Adapted from real survivor and provider experiences, In My Power confronts gender-based violence and oppression, and uplifts alternative pathways to individual and collective healing.
Written by Geneva Faye, Jessie Levandov, and Nina Reyes Rosenberg
Produced by Mala Forever
Directed by Geneva Faye
Reflection Guide
Reflection Questions
Use these questions to begin reflecting after watching the “In My Power” Video:
Have you or someone you know been impacted by gender based violence?
How do you feel about the word survivor?
What strong line can you relate with in your own experience or in witnessing another's?
Have you ever felt scared to share an experience because you were scared that people wouldn’t believe you or that it may destroy your family?
What feelings and thoughts stop you from speaking your truth?
What unspoken rules from your family do you carry with you?
What silences do you carry with you to “protect” those you care about?
Why does it feel difficult to share your truth in your family or with loved ones?
What identities do you hold that you want to uplift and celebrate?
Reflection Activity
Materials
Pen
Paper
Video
Activity (30 min)
We invite you to join us in this intentional space. Our objective for today's workshop is to engage in a meaningful dialogue regarding the realities of sexual assault within the Latine community. Our collective journey will involve viewing the “In My Power” video, followed by a period of individual reflection and a collaborative large group share out. The “In My Power” video is an educational tool that explores the realities of sexual assault within the Latine community, centering the voices of intergenerational survivors and their diverse paths toward healing. The script draws from the lived experiences of survivors, providers, and community members shared during listening sessions. It highlights findings from the Sexual Assault Demonstrative Initiative (SADI), a nationwide study, by weaving together 1) the impacts of oppression and racism, and 2) the need for alternative healing and the necessity of an intergenerational approach to uplift the experiences of survivors.
Pass out video scripts. As you watch the “In My Power” video, we invite you to utilize the script as a tool to underline the powerful lines that resonate with your own experience or witnessing. Centering each speaker, apply the “Head, Heart, Why” framework to annotate the script (See below).
Note for facilitator: For larger groups, you may choose to assign a specific speaker from the video to each group for a focused collaborative discussion.
“Head, Heart, Why” Framework
Head: What connections are you making to what you already know?
Heart: What feelings/emotions are here? What resonates with you?
Why: What questions do you have?
Example
Speaker 1: The first speaker, woman, 20-30 says:
Strong Line: I didn’t say anything for a long time because I was scared that my mom wouldn’t believe me... or that telling her would destroy our family.
No dije nada durante mucho tiempo porque tenía miedo de que mi mamá no me creyera... o de que contárselo destruyera a nuestra familia.
Head: I know that many SA survivors stay silent to protect their families. I have a cousin who also experienced this.
Heart: Being silent feels wrong. I would like to know what happened to someone I love.
Why: Does silence protect families or actually cause more pain?
Large Group Share Out (20mins)
Welcome everyone back together. Return to each speaker and share reflections using the “Head, Heart, Why” prompts?
Closing Reflection (10 mins)
Thank everyone for their contributions to the space and give everyone an opportunity to share using one of these questions:.
Share one word you want to remember from this session.
What takeaways do you have from this discussion?
Who do you want to share this video with?
Mala Forever
