"I want to focus on creating awareness around topics such as sexting, shame, and victim blaming in the digital age in which we live."
Meddy Goossens is a speaker, author, and mother. In her professional career, she spent many years working in crisis management and disaster relief, collaborating with police, fire departments, and public officials across the country. She was also active in local politics for nine years. In addition, Meddy runs her own communications agency and works as a connecting project manager for government organizations, as well as a trainer and coach for safety regions and public institutions.
Today, Meddy focuses on creating awareness around topics such as sexting, shaming, and victim blaming in the digital world we live in. By sharing her personal story, she aims to break taboos and help others.
Impact
One decision with
lasting consequences
Meddy was nineteen when it began. Images she had shared in confidence years earlier, while still a minor, ended up in the wrong hands and were distributed without her consent, through blogs, group chats, and obscure websites. Her name and body circulated on social media and within her own community. On top of that, she endured years of online stalking. At the same time, she was building her political career. Hiding was impossible, yet she kept going.
“Everywhere I went, I held my breath when introducing myself to someone. The silences, the looks, the discomfort. I could immediately tell when people knew.”
For ten years, she tried to ignore it and laugh it off, but the story continued to haunt her. Until she decided to change course and tell her story herself.
Ownership
Writing brought healing, strength, and ownership of her own story
Meddy sought professional help and started writing. At first only for herself. But as her story began to take shape, so did the realization that sharing it was the only way to free herself from the judgment of others.
“I was done making myself smaller, feeling ashamed, and constantly having to justify myself. It was time to stand up, tell my story, and own it.”
She chose radical openness. First through social media, and now in her book SHAMING. Because what taught her the most was not only what happened, but how people responded to it. Which words and actions helped, and which did not. And how even a small gesture can make someone feel less alone. That is the core message of both her book and her talks.
Your story
Tell your
story
Do you recognize yourself in Meddy’s story and do you want to start a conversation with your parents, family, or friends? Meddy has written a sample letter that captures what she was feeling at the time. You are welcome to use it to help the people around you better understand what you are going through.
The book
Read
Meddy's story
Would you like to read Meddy’s full story? In her book SHAMING, she shares not only the painful moments, but also the experiences that ultimately gave her the strength to take back control and tell her own story.
Keynote speaker
Listen
to Meddy's story
The impact of a single decision can be enormous and continue for years. How do we deal with these risks for both young people and adults in a digital age, as parents, teachers, professionals, and policymakers? As a keynote speaker, Meddy shares her perspective and experiences.