Undefeated For Nine Years: Celebrating Progress and Anniversaries With Savana Martin Interview by: Nya Brooks

Interview by: Nya Brooks

Q: What were your thoughts on sexual assault prior to becoming a survivor?
A: I had limited awareness about sexual assault. I attended an all-girls Catholic school and did
not think it would happen to me.
Q: What is your background story?
It happened with one of first boyfriends from high school. He attended the nearby all-boys high
school. I was 17 years old and a senior. We were hanging out at his house.
Q: How was life post becoming a survivor? Who/what resources helped you become stronger?
Initially, I was not affected; I was still in shock. I stayed in the relationship a month after it
happened. I feared he would get violent and my family loved him. I ended the relationship after
attending a Catholic retreat with my high school. That is when I gained strength. My first year of
college, while pledging for my fraternity, the members were the first people to know what
happened. I was not triggered until a year later when I noticed the anniversary on a calendar. I
did not realize how it had affected me mentality; I struggled my first of college. Going to
counseling helped me.
Q: How do you celebrate your progress as a survivor? How have you grown?
I practice self care by hanging out with friends or relaxing at home to get my mind off of the day.
Usually the entire week is rough. When I was in college, I would not work my campus job on the
anniversary. Now working full-time, it is harder to take off work. If I cannot take off work on the
anniversary date, I will take off one day during the week of the anniversary.
I am more willing to ask for help. I recognized it was okay to share my story with people I know
and on social media. It is humbling to be an inspiration to other survivors, allowing them to see
their growth and see themselves as survivors versus a victim. My undergrad thesis focused on
survivors using writing as a form of therapy. I use positive language when describing what I
have been through. I got the word, “undefeated” tattooed on me to remind myself of my
strength.
Q: What advice do you have for survivors and their loved ones?
My advice for survivors is to do what is right for them. Also, view yourself as a survivor; seeing
yourself as a survivor is one small step towards growth For loved ones, allow the survivor to
make the decision to report, see counseling, etc. It is about giving them a choice.
Chicago native, Savana Martin, is an advocate for survivors of sexual assault. Celebrating 9
years as a survivor, she has spoken at universities on panels and to high school students about
college life and preventing sexual assault. In 2015, Savana graduated from DePaul University
with a bachelors in Public Health/Administration and continued her studies at DePaul, earning
her masters in Public Health in 2017. Having a passion for community health, Savana serves as
a strategy consultant for Blue Cross Blue Shield. In her free time, Savana enjoys cooking and
making homemade pasta as a stress reliever.
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