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Marlee Liss | Advocate for Survivors Justice & Healing

@marleeliss

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Re-imagining justice after SA 🩵🌈
RSW, Keynote Speaker (Yale, Berkeley)
Founder @survivors4justicereform
Memoir @penguinrandomca Feb 2027
Free guide👇

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

COVER REVEAL ✨ My memoir is available to preorder!Comment “MEMOIR” and I’ll send you the link, plus an exclusive first look at the chapter “Catalyst” as a thank-you ⬇️

‘If I Had Known Then: A Memoir of Sexual Assault, Hope and My Battle to Reimagine Justice’ comes out on February 9th, 2027. This is the culmination of four years of writing, ten years of advocacy and countless years of dreaming. I’m so excited and honoured to share it with you 🥹😭

From the publisher: “A survivor of sexual violence advocates for ending harm rather than merely transferring it in this unapologetically frank and astonishingly optimistic memoir. If I Had Known Then provides a window into life after trauma and the harmful realities of criminal ‘justice,’ presenting an undeniably compelling case for why alternatives to the punitive approach are absolutely needed. A story full of hope and embodied resilience that offers a clear way forward, Marlee invites us all to believe in transformation and to courageously advocate for what we need—even when those needs oppose dominant systems.”

Preorders help shape how far a book can reach. Thank you for supporting this one, for uplifting survivor stories, and for being part of the movement to bridge healing with justice!

Thank you to my publisher @penguincanada and my literary agency @cookemcdermid 🩵🦋

#reimaginejustice #survivorstories #restorativejustice #healingtrauma #memoir by @marleeliss

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4 days ago

In 2019, I sat in an 8-hour justice circle with the man who SA’d me. Here are five reasons I fought for Restorative Justice instead of proceeding to a criminal trial 🩵

Ps. It’s okay if your version of meaningful justice looks different than mine. Survivors are not a monolith and neither are the people who abuse us. This was what was most deeply healing and just for me.

⬇️🩵 to learn more about restorative & transformative justice, comment “guide” for my resource guide ft. Orgs, books, podcasts and more

⬇️📕My book, “If I Had Known Then: A Memoir of S.xual Assault, Hope & My Battle to Re-Imagine Justice” comes out February 9th, 2027. Comment “First Wave” & I’ll send you the details along with 3 letters I wrote and audio recorded. One for my younger self who had just been SA’d, one for all survivors who have written me and one for future readers💌 taken in Toronto, Ontario by @marleeliss

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2 months ago

it’s here 😭. The trailer for my debut documentary feature film! The Limits of Forgiveness 👩‍⚖️❤️‍🩹

This intimate and provocative film follows one survivor’s radical choice - to meet her assailant face-to-face and seek accountability instead of incarceration...and the consequences that followed.

This film took us 4 years to make. I’m beyond greatful it’s finally seeing the light of day.

Get your ticket NOW for only $10 for the next 7 days before the special early bird price is over! Streaming Premiere 12/17

Tickets: Moment.co/forgiveness

Directed By: @kelseydarragh
Assistant Direction: @stevenkanter
Executive Producer: @lisaflip @selectmgmtgroup @momenthouse @patreon
Producer: @wolterstorffceramics @holland
Editor: @stevenkanter
Assistant Editor: @_kelseymcclure
Rotoscope Sequences Animator: @manmantis
Additional Motion Graphics: @stevenkanter @kelseydarragh
Director Of Photography: @alextse.films @stevenkanter
Second Crew Sound: @siyuhan.photography & Riana Wibowo

Based on the story of @marleeliss with appearence by @emilyfindshealing @lovelolagraham @thelotusturtle #, Jeff Carolin, Cara Sweeny, Hoori Hamboyan Rosel Kim, Joanne Wemmers, Chris Cowie, Special thanks to St Stevens House, Peter Madden, Rumbl Boxing #justice #healing #documentary #filmtok #filmmaker by @marleeliss

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a year ago

Join NJCASA on November 19–20 for our FREE virtual conference, Rooted in Resilience: Unity & Action! 📣

Featuring engaging panels and workshops led by experts from the anti-sexual violence movement and allied sectors, this two-day event offers opportunities to learn, connect, and take action.

On November 19, join us for our Media, Culture, and Harmful Norms Panel Discussion. 💡

This panel will explore how media, pop culture, and current events shape public understanding of sexual violence, highlighting how we can challenge harmful narratives and promote prevention through shifts in media and culture.

Plus, in partnership with Peace of Mind Yoga, Counseling, and Wellness Center, we are pleased to offer 10 NBCC-Approved Continuing Education Units (CEUs) to event attendees at a discounted rate of $40.*

🌟Register today (link in bio)!

*Peace of Mind Yoga, Counseling, and Wellness Center and the New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault are cosponsors of this program. This cosponsorship has been approved by NBCC. Peace of Mind Counseling and Wellness Center is an NBCC Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7472. The ACEP is solely responsible for this program, including the awarding of NBCC credits. by @marleeliss

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2 days ago

I was honoured to be interviewed for this article in @thecut titled, “What About the ‘Cornell 50’? Three former fraternity brothers on the times they struggled speaking up.”

It dives deep into bystander culture and the intersection between SA & fraternities. Thank you Grace for writing this piece and @carl.e.haynes @sandersonspeaking Pavan and Brandon for sharing your knowledge, lived experience and calls for change in the article.

Read the full thing at https://www.thecut.com/article/bystanders-silence-fraternity-brothers-cornell-7.html

Comment “memoir” and I’ll send you the preorder link and an early exclusive chapter from my upcoming book on reimagining justice for SA 👇📕 by @marleeliss

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2 days ago

I never share vulnerable crying videos but, this moment felt too big not to capture: This is me the moment after I pressed share on my book’s cover reveal just two days ago.

I could not stop thinking about younger me and how proud and emotional and amazed she would be at how far we’ve come 🥹

‘If I Had Known Then’ is about surviving SA. It’s about the harm that the criminal ‘justice’ system so often inflicts on survivors. And ultimately, it’s about fighting for a version of justice that is actually healing and survivor-centred. It’s the story of what happened when I refused to accept punishment & dehumanization as the only pathways forward.

👇Comment ‘MEMOIR’ to preorder and get a first look at the chapter, Catalyst, which marks a pivotal moment in my journey toward meaningful justice📕

Thank you @kesha for this survivor anthem, which I listened to on repeat after the assault, before court and before my restorative justice circle ⚡️

‘If I Had Known Then: A Memoir of S.xual Assault, Hope and My Battle to Reimagine Justice‘ comes out on February 9th, 2027 with Penguin Random House 🦋 taken in Toronto, Ontario by @marleeliss

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3 days ago

My mom has been there for me from the very beginning of this 10 year journey.

She was there for me after the assault, offering her love, support and shelter. She was there for me through the three years in court when I was drowning in the impacts of secondary victimization. She was there for me when I decided to fight for restorative justice and she was there, right beside me in the actual eight-hour circle.

And of course, she’s been there for me throughout this entire book writing and publishing process too - all four years of it. You can only know how much this moment means once you read the book!🥹

I’m immensely grateful to have @_barbieliss as my mother in this life and Im grateful that she’s offered so much maternal love, support & nurturance to so many of my friends too 🫂

Tomorrow, we will be revealing the cover and opening preorders for “If I Had Known Then: A Memoir of S.xual Assault, Hope and My Battle to Reimagine Justice”🩵

👇comment “first wave” to be the first to receive the link & to read/listen to the 3 letters I wrote and recorded: one to my younger self who had just been assaulted, one to all survivors and one to future readers 💌 taken in Toronto, Ontario by @marleeliss

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5 days ago

One man made a 45-second video about Shane Gillis SNL monologue, asking other men to speak up when they hear a misogynistic joke.

I analyzed hundreds of the comments and they show exactly why men who care stay quiet.

But there are men who are courageously speaking up anyway, and every one of them makes it a little easier for the next. @realjonjacobs, thank you. And here are some other amazing men doing the work to challenge gender-based violence: @sander_jennings @jacksontkatz @_whatmakesaman_ @quentintthomas @myfathersbarber @pierrefleury_ @richiereseda @heybrotherjohnny @lukebateman_ @ianllightfoot @barrettpall @jeffperera @re.masculine @jasewilliams.nz @acalltomen @carl.e.haynes @lewiswedlock and more 🩵

Tag some other men who are powerfully speaking out against misogyny 👇

🩵 Follow for more on survivor led advocacy, reimagining justice & redefining masculinity as violence prevention

#BystanderCulture #ViolencePrevention #MasculinityMatters #ReimagineJustice #MenSpeakUp taken in Toronto, Ontario by @marleeliss

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5 days ago

What if justice could actually feel like relief instead of more harm? 🩵

The criminal legal process took 3 years of my life after my assault. The restorative justice circle that gave me real accountability took 8 hours.

I wrote an entire book trying to explain that gap because once I understood it, I couldn’t stop asking why more survivors are not told that this option exists.

👇💌My memoir “If I Had Known Then” releases Feb 9th with Penguin Random House. Comment ‘first wave’ and I’ll send you the details, plus 3 letters I wrote and recorded - one to my younger self who was just assaulted, one to every survivor who’s written me since, one to future readers 🌊

✨Follow for more on reimagining justice - I’m committed to advocacy and survivor-led storytelling that centres victims voices, needs and healing after harm. taken in New York City by @marleeliss

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12 days ago

Stop pressuring survivors to name their abusers.

For some of us it’s about safety, for some it’s about what happens after we name them, for some it’s just not what we need in the aftermath of trauma. That choice belongs to the survivor.

Don’t recreate cycles of violation by disrespecting survivors boundaries or decentering our needs. Respect our consent rather than making assumptions or being adversarial by telling us “what’s best for us”. Remembers, survivors are not a monolith 🩵

Mentioned book is Suing For Silence by @doctorsassypants - Comment “books” for 45 more book recs on supporting survivors, dismantling r*pe culture and preventing violence 👇

💫follow for more on survivor-led advocacy, healing trauma, preventing violence & reimagining justice taken in Toronto, Ontario by @marleeliss

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6 days ago

Courthouses did not invent justice.

Long before colonial courtrooms, Indigenous nations had their own justice traditions. And when we act like court is the only valid path to justice, we dismiss those ways of repairing harm.

What you can do:
🧡Learn the roots of restorative justice, and credit where it came from
🧡Learn about Gladue principles in Canadian sentencing
🧡Fight for Indigenous justice programs and wellness courts to be properly funded
🧡Read Peace and Good Order by Harold Johnson and By the Fire We Carry by Rebecca Nagle
🧡Donate to organizations like Aboriginal Legal Services, the Native Women’s Association of Canada and Thunder Women Healing Lodge

Save this for later and send it to someone who still thinks court is the only legitimate approach to justice. Share more resources, Indigenous creators and organizations to support below 👇

Sources: Office of the Correctional Investigator, CBC.
#indigenouspeoplesday #thanksgiving #indigenousjustice taken in Turtle Island by @marleeliss

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6 days ago

When your friend doesn’t understand how much reporting SA sucks 👀

You can let them know: Less than 6% of SA survivors report for a reason. Advocates report that over 88% of victims experience re-victimization in the courtroom. Most cases end with acquittals or very short sentences with high rates of recidivism.

We should not pressure survivors to report. We should believe survivors when they name secondary victimization. We should give survivors OPTIONS for justice and respect their right to informed choice 🩵

⬇️📕 comment “guide” and I’ll send you my restorative & transformative justice resource guide outlining survivors options after trauma

Ps. This is a skit. Please do not come for @educatorfinley unless you’re coming with support, love and hype 😌 taken in Brooklyn, New York by @marleeliss

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9 days ago