CW: domestic, sexual, physical violence, bodily harm, racism, xenophobia

On June 23, 1993, Lorena Gallo (then, Bobbit) would come to be known as the woman from Manassas, Virginia who, in a rage, severed her husband’s penis and threw it out the window of her car. What was missing from this story, in all of the sensational media coverage, is the extreme abuse she had endured from him the years leading up to this. In our first collaborative episode ever, Shaena and Jill cover this incident, and most importantly, Lorena’s story. Join us as we uncover the details and political context of this case, break down dynamics of domestic violence, and the role we all can play in supporting survivors.

About Unpacking the Eerie:

Unpacking the Eerie is a passion project hosted by social workers based in the Pacific North West. Here, we explore true crime, the occult, conspiracy theories & other unknowns via dark humor, and a social justice/psychosocial lens. Each episode we dig past the surface of morbid fascination, scavenging for unasked questions surrounding the stories that creep the hell out of us. ⁠(@unpackingtheeerie)
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Host Bios:

Shaena (she/her/hers) is a mixed-race woman of Japanese, Korean and white descent, and has been with W.O.M.A.N., Inc. since 2014. Starting as a Support Line volunteer, she has since supported in various capacities including peer counseling, support group, education, outreach, and DVIRC coordination. Shaena also has experience as a sexual assault peer counselor and medical advocate with SF Women Against Rape. She currently lives in the Pacific Northwest, has her MSW with a focus on community-centered praxis and is a co-host of Unpacking the Eerie. Shaena is deeply invested in movements that bring us closer to collective justice, healing & liberation.

Jill Zawisza (pronounced Za-we-za) (she/her/hers) is a white woman of Polish descent and serves as a co-director at W.O.M.A.N., Inc. She has been in the anti-DV movement since 1996, and has been with W.O.M.A.N., Inc. for 13 years. In addition, Jill has served as an anti-Sexual Assault advocate and counselor. She represents W.O.M.A.N., Inc. in the community, aids in program development, provides mentorship to staff, and participates in active community outreach. Her current focus is offering counseling and advocacyto survivors, and delving into how to share power & dismantle white supremacy culture within the leadership structure at W.O.M.A.N., Inc., and beyond.