We Rise Series: Courtney Gaudreau

We Rise Series: Courtney Gaudreau – From Survivor to Advocate

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Courtney Gaudreau, a survivor of sexual assault turned advocate, to explore her personal journey of navigating life post-assault. Courtney shares her deeply moving story, detailing her experiences in reporting her assault, navigating the complexities of the criminal justice system, and ultimately finding her voice as a powerful advocate for survivors' ability to remove publication bans. 

We discuss the emotional and legal challenges she faced while seeking justice, including her courageous decision to have her publication ban lifted so she could publicly name her abuser. Courtney sheds light on the realities many survivors face when interacting with the justice system and opens up about the reforms she hopes will create a more just and compassionate experience for future survivors.

Besides her advocacy work, Courtney is a co-organizer of the Voices Against Violence Rally, an event dedicated to raising awareness about GBV and IPV. You can learn more about the rally, taking place on October 21st in cities across Canada, and get involved by visiting Voices Rally.

Articles referenced in this episode:

• Sudbury woman working to give victims a voice
• ‘Not going to let this destroy me’: Sudbury woman speaks out for sexual assault survivors
• Sudbury woman wins right to publicize her abuser’s name
• Sexual assault survivor turned advocate shares her story

Tune in to this episode to hear Courtney’s inspirational journey and learn more about her advocacy for change in the criminal justice system.