Brenda was "mentored" by the former leader of Students of Light, a Toronto-based esoteric group inspired by teachings by Carl Jung and H.P. Blavatsky, from the age of 11 to almost 17. She pursued legal action against him in 1997, and he was eventually arrested in 2019 and extradited to Canada to be charged with rape and assault of a minor. 

Her case was plagued with delays and procedural mishaps from the get go, and her abuser went free in 2023 on a technicality. Now Brenda is due back in court this month to face the Canadian police constable accused of neglecting her case. 

But she's already lived a lifetime of gaslighting and victim blaming that shut down her ability to report crimes and even pursue mental health treatment. It was enough to keep her silent for years. 

Now she wants to tell her story. 

Join us to discuss the breakdown of family, legal and medical systems that perpetuated Brenda's abuse since the 1970s. 

***This is an intense episode with disturbing content describing child sexual assault and torture. Please listen with care or skip this one is you're squeamish. 

News coverage about the arrest in the San Francisco Bay Area:

https://www.mercurynews.com/2019/05/08/canadian-fugitive-suspected-of-raping-girl-in-students-of-light-religious-group-arrested-in-bay-area/

 https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/03/24/chosen-by-god-former-leader-of-religious-group-extradited-from-bay-area-to-canada-to-face-1975-rape-charge/

*Music by Lee Dunn, opening/closing song by The Chaw

*Editing by Dhyana Levey

Reach out to Brenda at [email protected]