Le Va podcast series releases new episodes

Le Va’s Atu-Mai podcast series continues to gain traction with two more episodes due for release in June. 

The podcast series for Atu-Mai highlights a series of guests to discuss topics such as sexual violence prevention and stopping child sexual abuse. 

Matt Brown

Guest Matt Brown shared some valuable insights into his life experiences on his podcast episode. 

“Thanks for the opportunity to speak here – such an honour but my heart is for our community,” he says. 

“My message for them is to heal. Because to show up for yourself first, and then you can show up for your family, has to start with you. Your childhood trauma was not your fault, but your healing is absolutely your responsibility.”  

PJ King

Another podcast guest, Peter Jared (PJ) King, is a basketball youth development advocate and founder of online forum, Kiwi Daddies.  

PJ shares about his child sexual abuse in this podcast episode and says it was really important to talk about it. As a father, he says it was also important to be honest with his children. 

“Knowing proper words for your body parts, knowing what sex is, giving them a proper explanation. And hey, that’s for when you are older, when you’re ready for it you know, it’s not for now. So, if anybody comes to you and tries to be that way then you let me know. They don’t have to let everyone know you just tell me please. Like, tell me as you father. 

“I’m living proof that a boy can grow up in poverty and seeing sexual violence, to grow up to be someone else and take ownership of your story, good bad and ugly, and continue to heal. That’s the most gangster stuff you can do.”  

The very first podcast episode was with Moeapulu Frances Tagaloa, who is a survivor of faith-based organisations who gave evidence at the Commission of Inquiry into Abuse. 

Another episode features a conversation with two Methodist church ministers, Rev. Uesifili Unasa and Rev. Ikilifi Pope, talking about sexual violence prevention. 

The Atu-Mai series was produced as part of ongoing efforts to reduce stigma, silence, and shame by talking about sexual violence, and to also help inform and equip people with tools to prevent it. 

Atu-Mai says knowing systemic factors that contribute to sexual harm and discuss various risk and protective factors is very important too.  

Listen now to the Le Va Podcast Atu-Mai series on Spotify or You Tube.