Martina Zangger
Dr Martina Zangger’s memoir ‘Not My Shame’ is a testament to the power of female courage and strength. Her book provides insight into the complexities of gurus and their cults,…
Bottom
Martina Zangger
Dr Martina Zangger’s memoir ‘Not My Shame’ is a testament to the power of female courage and strength. Her book provides insight into the complexities of gurus and their cults, the connection between childhood sexual abuse and sex work, and the profound transformation that occurs in the sanctity of the therapy room. This is Martina’s true story of how she reclaimed her life after breaking the trauma bond.
Aged 19, Martina escapes her authoritarian Swiss family. Having endured a childhood of sexual abuse, she joins the cult of the charismatic Indian guru Rajneesh. To fund her journey to live with him and find the enlightenment she believes he’ll provide, she becomes a call girl working in an upmarket Sydney brothel. She now juggles three identities, each representing a different facet of her being: Martina, the name her parents gave her; Pragito, the one her guru bestowed on her; and Zoe, the alluring alias she embodies in the brothel. She remains in the cult for eight long years, finally escaping broken, destitute and disillusioned.
Dr Zangger has a PhD specialising in the field of interpersonal violence and a Master’s Degree in Couple and Family Therapy. She has worked at the frontline helping women and children impacted by sexual assault and domestic violence for more than 20 years. Using a holistic, trauma-informed, feminist practice model, she assists traumatised clients to find safety and healing.
Festival Events
BY THE ARTIST
