Panel Discussion of Danielle Tumminio Hansen’s Speaking of Rape: The Limits of Language in Sexual Violations

Speaking of Rape: The Limits of Language in Sexual Violations examines how language shapes survivors' ability to process, resist, and heal from sexual harm. Tumminio Hansen explores whether the difficulty in articulating trauma stems solely from the nature of traumatic violence or also from linguistic limitations shaped by social constructs. Drawing parallels to theological critiques of masculine God-language, she argues that survivors face linguistic idolatry and irrelevance, which hinder healing and justice. Engaging trauma theorists, pastoral theologians, and feminist philosophy, she critiques current definitions of terms like "rape," "victim," and "perpetrator" while advocating for more empowering alternatives. She also reimagines justice through restorative practices centered on storytelling and survivor agency. By weaving theology, feminist philosophy, trauma studies, and first-person narrative, Tumminio Hansen offers a framework for rethinking language, justice, and healing—ultimately modeling how to speak the unspeakable in pursuit of liberation, resistance, freedom, and personal and collective transformation.