On episode # 067 Madeleine Black, a story healer, shares her story of being gang-raped as a teenager and how she could end the silence, stigma, shame and anger and finally forgive and let go of the past. Before she often disassociated and left her body. She recognized that she was a victim of a crime that left her silent for many years but has now found her voice and speaks at conferences, book events, schools. Not just for her, but for those who can’t find their voice yet.

Sharing of her story publicly on The Forgiveness Project’s website in September 2014, opened many doors for Madeleine in ways she never imagined, and the invitations started to pour in.

She´s engaged to help women, who are survivors of sexual abuse/rape and who are homeless and develop a resilience blueprint for others.

Many women and men got in contact and explained how reading her story gave them strength, hope, and a different perspective of what’s possible in their lives.

The founder of The Forgiveness Project, Marina, often refers to the various people on her website as “story healers” rather than “storytellers” and now she completely understood why.

She has taken part in both, TV and radio interviews, and has been invited to share her story of being gang-raped as a teenager at conferences, book events, schools etc.

She recognizes that she was a victim of a crime that left her silent for many years but has now found her voice and intends to use it. Not just for her, but for so many who can’t find theirs yet.

In March 2018 she won the Amazing Strength award at the No. 1 Magazine Amazing Women Awards and in October of the same year was asked to be the Patron for Say Women, a Scottish organization which offers safe accommodation and support to young women who are survivors of sexual abuse/rape and who are homeless.

She is one of 50 thrivers taking part in research by The Global Resilience Project to develop a resilience blueprint for others. She is a storyteller for The Forgiveness Project and has recently become involved with their program RESTORE, sharing her story in prisons.

As well as being an international speaker, she continues to work as a psychotherapist in Glasgow.

Her memoir, Unbroken, was published on April 4th, 2017. I highly recommend to read her book, What happened is hardcore and not easy to digest but the book is written in telling the truth happening and so authentically that I had to cry often because I just felt myself being in the situation.