Is it considered taboo to discuss sexual violence within the Pacific Islander community? What exactly is sexual health? How can we break down the stigma and cultural barriers surrounding conversations about our bodies?

In this episode, Nina Jusuf from NAPIESV joins hosts Marcina Langrine and Matthew John to discuss sexual violence in Asian and Pacific Islander (API) communities. She emphasizes the importance of creating a safe space for healing, accountability, and building trust within the Pacific Island community. Nina also highlights the significance of understanding intersectionality concerning culture and upbringing. Cultural norms and family practices vary greatly and are shaped by individuals' unique combinations of social identities. Nina reminds us that “healing is possible.”

About Our Guest

Nina Jusuf has been working on domestic violence and sexual assault issues since 1992, starting as a hotline volunteer before becoming a shelter-based domestic violence advocate and later as the Executive Director of the San Francisco Women Against Rape for five years. She is one of the founders of NAPIESV and has led numerous trainings and technical assistance on sexual assault and domestic violence issues in general and API-specific trauma-informed services. Nina believes in collective wellness beyond self-care and has led/facilitated training on organizational sustainability, multicultural wellness, sustaining activists and activism, and genuine security for survivors, activists, and women human rights defenders in Asia, the Balkans, and the United States. In addition, Nina has experience leading an experiential learning-based youth organization and overseeing the Home Based Childcare Center and Federal Nutrition Program.

MORE INFO.

• National Organization of Asians and Pacific Islanders Ending Sexual Violence (NAPIESV)
• Monsoon Asians and Pacific Islanders in Solidarity
• San Francisco Women Against Rape
• ​​National Sexual Assault Hotline: Confidential 24/7 Support | RAINN
• National Domestic Violence Hotline

This episode was developed and produced with a UCLA Center for the Study of Women (CSW)|Streisand Center Faculty Research Grant. We appreciate the generous support.

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The theme music for “MEI, the Podcast” was composed by Matthew John. All rights reserved.

Season 1, Episode 3 was recorded at MEI on April 30, 2025. Marcina Langrine and Matthew John co-hosted, and Marino Morris co-produced and edited this episode. Jessica Schwartz did post-production. The audio-synced transcript is available here.

© MEI 2025.

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