https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/ae6eee07-ed86-4a20-ae4d-942355369055/Season_2_Denise_Huskins.mp3?dest-id=4843665In one of the most gripping conversations I can remember, I sit down with Denise Huskins Quinn —a woman whose story captured headlines and inspired the 2024 Netflix documentary, American Nightmare. Kidnapped, disbelieved, and publicly vilified, Denise faced not only the trauma of a violent attack but also the crushing weight of community betrayal and media scrutiny. And yet, she found a way back—rebuilding her life, reclaiming her voice, and transforming her pain into purpose. In this powerful episode, Denise shares the five essential steps that helped her heal, trust herself again, and own her story without apology. From the emotional toll of surviving when no one believes you, to the courage it takes to write your truth in her memoir Victim F, Denise opens a raw, honest window into the realities of resilience. Whether you’re navigating your own difficult chapter, searching for a way to speak your truth, or simply need a reminder that it’s possible to rise after being broken, Denise’s journey will stay with you. This is more than a survival story—it’s a masterclass in reclaiming your life when the world gets it wrong. About Denise Huskins Quinn
In 2015, Denise Huskins and Aaron Quinn found themselves at the center of a high-profile kidnapping and sexual assault case that not only shook their world but also captivated the nation. Their remarkable journey, as depicted in the Netflix show American Nightmare and chronicled in their acclaimed book Victim F: From Crime Victims to Suspects to Survivors, serves as a powerful testament to resilience, courage, and the unwavering human spirit.
Although the details of their ordeal are extreme, they came to realize they are not alone in much of what they suffered. Their case is an example of misogyny, tunnel vision, and confirmation bias in law enforcement; media misrepresentation and the dangers of rushing to judgment; the public’s continued disbelief of women and victims of sexual violence; and the re-victimization that can happen within the criminal justice system.
Despite facing unimaginable challenges and public shaming, Huskins and Quinn emerged from this traumatic experience with grace, fortitude, and an unyielding determination to turn their pain into purpose, advocating for much-needed systemic changes and a better understanding of the victim’s experience.
Denise Huskins Quinn on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denise-huskins-quinn-dpt-b9810b250/ Resources https://victimf.com/
In Victim F, Aaron and Denise recount the horrific ordeal that almost cost them everything. Like too many victims of sexual violence, they were dismissed, disbelieved, and dragged through the mud. With no one to rely on except each other, they took on the victim blaming, harassment, misogyny, and abuse of power running rife in the criminal justice system. Their story is, in the end, a love story, but one that sheds necessary light on sexual assault and the abuse by law enforcement that all too frequently compounds crime victims’ suffering. Resources Sign up for the “This is how SHE did it” newsletter to stay up to date: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/worth-knowing-7236433935503618048/ Follow Bonnie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonnie-habyan/ Check out Bonnie Habyan on http://www.meetbonnieh.com
