Something Was Wrong – S25 Ep18: “Better for the Next Survivor”

Date: April 9, 2026
Host: Broken Cycle Media
Guest: Allegra (Survivor and Advocate)

Episode Overview

In this powerful episode, Allegra recounts her harrowing experience of sexual assault, her subsequent Title IX journey at “Western University,” and her transformation into a campus advocate for survivors. Through detailed and raw storytelling, Allegra illustrates the trauma inflicted not just by the perpetrator, but by administrative failures, skepticism, and institutional betrayals—while maintaining hope that her advocacy will improve outcomes for future survivors.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Allegra’s Assault and the Immediate Aftermath

• Allegra narrates meeting her assailant, Justin, through Tinder. Their only in-person meeting resulted in rape (01:26).
• By May 28, 2017, Allegra sought help, contacting the school’s victim advocate and being referred to Title IX (01:29).
• Justin reacted with anger and retaliatory behavior; he was found not responsible due to “insufficient evidence” by the Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO) (01:54).

Quote:
“You think you know me. You don't know me well at all. You don't know anybody till you talk to someone.” – Allegra (00:38)

2. The Title IX Hearing: Frustration and Re-Traumatization

• Allegra describes the highly formal, intimidating hearing process (02:16–03:57), including attempts to block her victim advocate’s presence.
• She delivers a stark, factual, and emotional opening statement recounting both physical and psychological trauma, emphasizing the violence of the rape and the reality of survivor behaviors that don’t fit the ‘perfect victim’ trope (04:33–07:41).
• Cross-examination focuses on impugning Allegra’s credibility rather than her evidence (08:40–10:24).

Quote:
“I wanted to phone it in. I did not want to be there. I did not want to see him in person… My victim advocate… fought for me.” – Allegra (02:16–03:33)

Opening Statement Highlight:
“This means I was not the stereotypical perfect victim. I am upset and disheartened that the OEO seems to have expected me to fit this perfect victim profile and behavior…” – Allegra (05:54)

3. Institutional Failures & Injustice

• The panel, after mistakenly interpreting post-assault texts as indicators of consent, upholds the “insufficient evidence” finding (12:48–14:49).
• The decision is delivered just before Christmas, demanding any appeal within an impossible five-day window during the holidays (16:02–16:36).

Quotes:
“The committee concurs with the OEOAA's finding… there is insufficient evidence… the complainant's conduct may have indicated consent…” – Allegra (reading official decision, 13:19–14:49)
“I think what's so criminal about that is expecting survivors to make these heart-wrenching, super difficult, super high risk… decisions within three days.” – Allegra (16:36)

4. Aftermath: The Impact on Allegra and Her Campus

• Allegra encounters her rapist dating a classmate and decides to warn her, breaking the no-contact order and risking expulsion (20:21–26:00).
• The disclosure divides her community and puts her academics at risk, epitomizing the risks survivors take even in trying to protect others.

Quote: “My academic future and my position at school was saved because she was unwilling to get involved in a formal capacity is very scary to me.” – Allegra (25:57)

5. Turning to Advocacy

• Allegra becomes president of the campus “It’s On Us” chapter, determined to create tangible improvements for survivors and to build a coalition beyond “women’s issues” (27:53–30:21).
• She notes the emotional cost of being forced to work alongside campus leaders who participated in her hearing.

Quote: “The only reason that I became interested in activism and engaged in activism was because I wanted others’ experience to be better than mine.” – Allegra (31:36)

6. Revelations About Justin: Serial Perpetration

• In 2020, Allegra learns Justin’s name appears on local Twitter lists of alleged perpetrators and connects with other victims, confirming his serial offending (33:29–35:39).
• Dr. Badera’s book, “On the Wrong Side: How Universities Protect Perpetrators and Betray Survivors of Sexual Violence,” documents institutional biases against Allegra and the disbelief and dismissal from administrators and even victim advocates (36:33–40:49).

Quote (from book): “They now knew her as the most vocal advocate for survivors… a persistent thorn in their sides… used rape allegations as a networking tool…” – Dr. Badera (citing administrators’ opinions, 36:33)

Allegra’s reaction:
“To think that someone would engage with the Title IX process and see it through… that that would be the avenue through which I would seek attention… I don't even have a word for it—backwards, hurtful, disgusting.” (37:29–37:54)

7. Reflections on Institutional Betrayal

• Allegra learns that administrators believed she orchestrated other women’s reports against Justin, leading to further non-reporting and silencing (43:12–44:49).
• She discovers no real consequences were imposed on Justin, while she—and other victims—suffered lasting harms.

Quote:
“My college experience and my access to education was ruined by my rape and then my following experience with the Title IX process…” – Allegra (39:44)

8. Discussing Dr. Badera’s Book & Podcast Participation

• Allegra explains how she connected with the podcast after hearing about the Title IX season and why she believes sharing her story is vital despite ongoing pain (55:06–56:49).

Quote:
“My perception before college was that the era of colleges ignoring sexual assault was over with the release of the film The Hunting Ground. Those survivors… are my idols. That’s honestly another reason I was attracted to advocacy…” – Allegra (56:59)

9. Healing, Trauma, and Hope

• Allegra discusses leaving old friendships behind, therapy, lasting somatic injuries, and her ongoing commitment to survival and advocacy (59:39–61:45).
• She stresses that healing is possible, and urges others not to live in shame or silence.

Quote: “I know I said before that Justin ruined my life and in some ways he did. But I'm still here. I'm still alive. I'm still doing what I love to do… With therapy, it is possible for you to live a fulfilling life after sexual assault…” – Allegra (61:33–62:03)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Survivor Expectations:
  “This means I was not the stereotypical perfect victim… I am upset and disheartened that the OEO seems to have expected me to fit this perfect victim profile and behavior.” (05:54)

• On Institutional Betrayal:
  “My college experience and my access to education was ruined by my rape and then my following experience with the Title IX process, to think that I was doing that for attention is just so off base.” (39:44)

• On Systemic Injustice:
  “Why on earth does a rapist need an advocate? It did not even occur to me that he would be provided with one… The Title IX office was very charmed by him…” (51:04)

• On Healing:
  “With therapy, it is possible for you to live a fulfilling life after sexual assault, after rape, after domestic violence.” (61:45)

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment / Topic | |-----------|--------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:38 | Allegra’s introduction: “You think you know me…” | | 01:26 | Rape described, first steps seeking help | | 02:16–03:57| Entering the hearing, advocate struggle, room dynamics | | 04:33–07:41| Allegra’s opening statement at hearing | | 08:40–10:24| Cross-examination experience | | 12:48–14:49| Hearing panel’s decision, reasoning | | 16:36 | On the impossibility and cruelty of the appeal deadline | | 20:21 | Finding out classmate is dating Justin, deciding to warn her | | 25:42 | Risk of expulsion for breaking no-contact to protect others | | 27:53 | It’s On Us: Allegra’s advocacy work | | 33:29 | Discovering Justin’s other victims via Twitter | | 36:33 | Dr. Badera’s book: institutional opinions on Allegra | | 43:12 | Learning about further non-reported victims | | 51:04 | On advocates for perpetrators | | 55:06 | Allegra decides to speak out via the podcast | | 59:39 | Impact of trauma on relationships, somatic healing | | 61:33 | Hope and validation for survivors |

Additional Insights

• Tone & Language: Conversation is direct, raw, vulnerable, yet anchored in resilience. Allegra and the host avoid sensationalism, focusing on facts and feelings with clarity.
• Call to Action: The episode concludes with Allegra encouraging survivors to seek support and refusing to accept shame or invisibility.

Summary

This episode is a courageous, detailed portrait of how survivors’ lives are shaped not just by the trauma of sexual assault, but by flawed systems that prioritize institutional self-protection over justice or care. Allegra’s testimony both indicts those failures and models the life-affirming power of survivor advocacy and truth-telling—even when it comes at immense personal cost. Her story calls listeners to reconsider what real support for survivors means and sheds light on both the necessity and difficulty of creating real change within powerful institutions.