·S1 E9

LaQuisha Anthony: Giving Survivors Time, Voice, and Autonomy in the Fight for Justice

March 6

38 mins

Episode Description

About LaQuisha Anthony: LaQuisha S. Anthony is a thought leader, educator, author, and nationally certified advocate who amplifies voices and promotes healing. She serves as the Manager of Advocacy at WOAR Philadelphia Center Against Sexual Violence and has devoted her career to empowering those impacted by sexual and gender-based violence.

She played an intricate part in the historical change of the PA Sexual Assault Statute of Limitations in 2018, forcing an amendment to include college-age students. She studied at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania and completed an Executive Education Program at Harvard University as a Making Change Honorary.

LaQuisha received the 2022 Governor's Victim Service Pathfinder Award, the NSRVC 2021 Visionary Voice Award, and honors from the Philadelphia City Council. She is passionate about changing the world in her generation while curating joy & being the best mother to her son, Asher Ryan.

In this episode, Ben, Jennifer, and LaQuisha Anthony discuss:

Survivor-led statute of limitations reform for young adults
Cultural stigma and silence surrounding trauma in Black communities
Therapy, faith, and community as pathways to healing
Vision boards and community spaces as tools for empowerment

Key Takeaways:

It took LaQuisha 12 years to seek support after her campus sexual assault, reinforcing why survivors ages 18 to 23 need extended time to process trauma before pursuing civil justice.
Her testimony before the Pennsylvania Senate Judiciary Committee helped secure the passage of Act 87, which now allows 18 to 23-year-olds in Pennsylvania to file civil claims until their 30th birthday.
Trauma can fragment memory and distort behavior, and not recalling events in a linear way does not invalidate a survivor’s experience or credibility.
Healing required a combination of therapy, faith, community, and reclaimed autonomy — particularly the ability for survivors to choose what happens next after sexual violence.

"When you've experienced sexual violence, choices matter to a survivor, even the most minute choice matters. Give us autonomy and give us [the] opportunity to choose, even if it's something small." — LaQuisha Anthony

Episode References: