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One expert told Jezebel that nonconsensual pelvic exams have had a lasting toll on victims. She’s heard from some whose PTSD prevents them from going to the doctor or seeking health care altogether

This week is the 51st anniversary of Roe v Wade and it’s so disheartening to think that there are women alive today who celebrated that victory only to have it taken away from them. But although clearly the fight is never really over, we won those rights in the past and we can win them again in the future.

I like to think we’re living in a more consent-aware world than we used to be. We speak about the sexual ideal of enthusiastic consent required before engaging in sexual acts. And yet, recent research demonstrates that in the medical community, what happens with our bodies is often far outside that consent, with almost 90% of medical students being asked to perform pelvic examinations on patients under anesthesia. Our guest this week, A’magine Goddard, is a filmmaker whose new documentary “At Your Cervix” examines how this happens and the effects of these exams. And listeners, be aware that this episode contains frank discussions of these non-consensual examinations.

This week, Jameela is joined by director, producer and sexual educator, A’magine Goddard to discuss her award-winning new documentary ‘At Your Cervix’ that breaks the silence about the continuous violation of bodily autonomy for educational purposes. Jameela and A’magine discuss the history of gynecology and obstetrics, why non-consensual pelvic exams on patients under anesthesia must end along with the many gynecological teaching alternatives, and plenty more. A warning before listening, this episode discusses medical trauma and sexual assault.

A’magine discusses At Your Cervix with School of Ethical Touch and Embody Work LA.They get into the amazing work being done by the Gynecological Teaching Associates (GTAs) to provide a teaching model rooted in feedback and consent for intimate exams for med students, and by AYC’s team alongside bipartisan lawmakers to get this practice banned, one state at a time.

A’magine, Renée, & Livia discuss the film, medical education and culture, and activism efforts with Babz as part of the promotion of At Your Cervix being screened at the New Haven Film Festival that took place from October 15, 2023.

A’magine & Renée discuss the film as part of the promotion of At Your Cervix being screened at the 19th Annual LA Femme International Film Festival that took place from October 19-22, 2023.

The film is about gynecology through the lens of gynecological education. We’re looking at medical education in the film.

How many people actually think about, “where does a gynecologist first learn to do a pelvic exam? Do I want to be the first one? Probably not.”

These doctors have to learn in some way and many of them learn with trained teachers who use their own bodies to teach in medical schools and teach in clinical settings.