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cover art for Saxon Mullins on Healing Beyond Trauma, Consent Law Reform and Sexual Violence Advocacy

Trauma & Transformation with Dr Anastasia Powell

Saxon Mullins on Healing Beyond Trauma, Consent Law Reform and Sexual Violence Advocacy

Season 1, Ep. 1
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Welcome to the debut episode of Trauma and Transformation, hosted by Professor Anastasia Powell!


In this premiere episode, Anastasia is joined by Saxon Mullins, Director of Advocacy at RASARA (Rape and Sexual Assault Research and Advocacy) and recipient of the 2018 Young Persons Human Rights Medal. Saxon’s landmark advocacy directly contributed to pivotal sexual violence law reform around consent in New South Wales.


Together, Anastasia and Saxon kick off the series by pushing back against neat, oversimplified healing tropes, such as the classic "butterfly” transformation to explore the messy, non-linear reality of living with trauma. They tackle the ethics of media reporting on sexual assault, the urgent need to protect survivors' confidential therapy notes from court subpoenas, and the everyday reality of being a "feminist killjoy" when challenging systemic violence.


Key Highlights & Takeaways

  • Series Premiere Focus: Introducing the core mission of Trauma and Transformation through deep, honest conversations with public advocates.
  • Redefining Healing & Recovery: Why healing isn't a single endpoint or a polished "butterfly" moment, but an ongoing, daily commitment to living fully.
  • The Problem with "Silver Linings": Pushing back on society's urge to find positive spin, divine purpose, or forced lessons in traumatic events.
  • Responsible Media Reporting: How media framing, clickbait headlines, and "presumption of innocence" rhetoric impact survivors and reinforce public taboos.
  • Protecting Survivor Therapy Notes: Inside RASARA's campaign to stop confidential counselling records from being subpoenaed and weaponised in court proceedings.
  • Affirmative Consent Laws: Why updating sexual assault legislation to affirmative consent models reflects modern societal expectations and basic human respect.
  • The Power of the "Feminist Killjoy": Embracing uncomfortable social moments, calling out casual sexism, and why allies must speak up to shift the culture.


Powerful Quotes from the Episode

"I think for me healing and recovery has come to mean that I am not just alive and surviving, I'm living my life. It comes with good days and bad days, but I am able to create a life that I enjoy.” - Saxon Mullins


"We try to create these beautiful metaphors... 'One day we will fly away and never have to do this anymore.' That's really lovely, and it's really just not true.” - Saxon Mullins


"You can't do it wrong... You have been through this unfathomable thing. Sometimes it takes a little while, but there will be flashes of a life that you never thought you could have, and it is really worth it.” - Saxon Mullins


Resource Links & Advocacy

  • Learn More About RASARA: Rape and Sexual Assault Research and Advocacy
  • Support the Campaign: Take action on the campaign to protect Sexual Assault Survivor Therapy Notes from court subpoenas via RASARA, or through taking part in this survey
  • Read Along in the Book: Dive deeper into healing and moving beyond the ‘butterfly’ metaphor, by reading Chapter 1: Introduction: Framing Violence, Trauma, and Recovery, of Professor Anastasia Powell’s book, The Aftermath of Trauma: Survivor Informed Practice for Transformation and Healing After Family and Sexual Violence (Palgrave Macmillan): Link to Anastasia's Book


Connect with our Guest:

Follow RASARA on Instagram: @rapereform


Credits:

Hosted by Professor Anastasia Powell.

Produced by Dash Made Studios.

Trauma and Transformation is created by Professor Anastasia Powell and produced by Dash Made Studios to educate and foster discourse on family violence, sexual violence, and trauma recovery. Content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or legal advice.

If you are in immediate danger, call 000.

Support Services (24/7 unless noted):

• 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732): Domestic, family & sexual violence support

• Lifeline (13 11 14): Crisis support

• MensLine (1300 78 99 78): Men’s support & family violence

• 13YARN (13 92 76): First Nations crisis support

• QLife (1800 184 527): LGBTIQ+ peer support (3pm–midnight)

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    59:31||Season 1, Ep. 2
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  • Welcome to Trauma and Transformation with Professor Anastasia Powell

    01:24||Season 0, Ep. 0
    Discover how recovery, healing, and systemic change take shape after family and sexual violence with host Professor Anastasia Powell on Trauma and Transformation. Bringing together survivor advocates, leading experts, and insights from Anastasia’s book, The Aftermath of Trauma, this series tackles the essential questions of trauma recovery, lived experience leadership, and primary violence prevention. It’s not just about what happened to us—it’s about what we do next.Powerful Quotes from the Trailer"It’s not about what happened to us, it’s about what we do next." — Professor Anastasia PowellAbout Your HostProfessor Anastasia Powell is a criminologist, social worker, university professor, and survivor advocate dedicated to creating better responses to violence and driving long-term social change.Resource Links & AdvocacyLearn More About Anastasia's Work: Visit Anastasia Powell's official website: https://anastasiapowell.com.au/Dive deeper into healing The Aftermath of Trauma: Survivor Informed Practice for Transformation and Healing After Family and Sexual Violence (Palgrave Macmillan): Link to Anastasia's BookConnect with our Host:Follow Professor Anastasia Powell on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasia-powell-91710861/Credits:Hosted by Professor Anastasia Powell.Produced by Dash Made Studios.