Julie Whitehead on How She Became the Sex-Trafficked Mother Next Door, Pt. 1
Jan 3, 2024
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Julie Whitehead, survivor of abuse and sex trafficking, shares her heartbreaking story of growing up in an abusive home and the emotional abuse endured in her 12-year marriage. She discusses the presence of cameras installed by her abusive partner and the harmful effects of pornography, highlighting its connections to sexual exploitation and sex trafficking. An important episode shedding light on these issues.
Child sexual abuse can have long-lasting effects on a person's sense of boundaries and relationships.
Pornography use and disregard for boundaries contribute to toxic dynamics in abusive relationships.
Deep dives
Julie's traumatic childhood and abusive relationship
Julie shares about her experience of growing up in an abusive home, where she was sexually abused by her father for many years. This abuse had a profound impact on her sense of boundaries and her perceptions of relationships with men. Her first marriage was also marked by control and abuse, leaving her feeling trapped and helpless to escape.
Marital difficulties and the normalization of abuse
Julie's marriage to her first husband, Richard, was characterized by control, possessiveness, and tests that she had to endure. Richard's pornography use and his disregard for her boundaries further contributed to the toxic dynamic in their relationship. The marriage did not improve after having children, as Richard continued to use the kids against her and imposed more restrictions and acts of cruelty.
Escalating abuse and suicide attempts
As Julie's mental health deteriorated due to the abusive marriage, Richard's behavior became increasingly cruel and torturous. He locked her in rooms, inflicted physical harm, and heightened control over her every move. Julie attempted suicide multiple times, feeling trapped and without any way out. Richard's abuse escalated, pushing her to the breaking point.
Leaving the abusive marriage
Julie eventually found evidence of Richard's infidelity and sought the help of a private investigator. After discovering her bruised leg, a doctor insisted that she go to the police. Julie mustered the courage to report the abuse and press charges against Richard. This marked the end of their marriage as she embarked on a journey to escape the abusive relationship and seek justice.
Trigger warning: The following podcast episode contains discussions of child sexual abuse and suicide. Listener discretion is advised.
Julie Whitehead is a survivor of many years of abuse and sex trafficking. As a survivor, Julie bravely shares her story in her book Shadowed: How I Became the Sex Trafficked Mother Next Door. She also serves on a survivor advisory board for the Malouf Foundation.
This episode of Consider Before Consuming is part 1 of our 2-part interview. In it, Julie shares about the child sexual abuse she experienced at home, as well as the emotional and psychological abuse she endured by her husband in their 12-year marriage, before meeting the man who would sex traffic her.