Vanessa McNeal

Vanessa McNeal (born August 3, 1993) is an American social activist, public speaker, and documentary filmmaker.[1] She directed the documentary that features stories of five male survivors of sexual violence titled The Voiceless,[2] and We Are Survivors, a documentary that examines the experiences of eight victims of sexual abuse.[3]

Vanessa McNeal
A capture from McNeal's 2019 news interview on WHO TV
Born (1993-08-03) August 3, 1993
Davenport, Iowa, United States
CitizenshipAmerican
EducationIowa State University, University of Northern Iowa
OccupationSocial activist, public speaker, documentary filmmaker
Websitewww.vanessamcneal.com

In 2019, McNeal released her fourth documentary film titled Gridshock to expose the sex trafficking industry in the state of Iowa.[4][5][6] McNeal is a two time Tedx speaker.[7][8]

Education

Vanessa graduated from Iowa State University in 2015 with a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in Child Adult and Family Services[9] and a Master of Social Works (MSW) degree from the University of Northern Iowa in 2017.[10]

Career

Vanessa's career in filmmaking, social activism and speaking kicked off after the release of her first film titled I am: The Vanessa McNeal Story. Since then she has spoken at various college events, for the US National Guard, and produced three other documentary films respectively titled We are Survivors, The Voiceless, and Gridshock.[11]

In 2015, she began her journey in making films that focuses on investigating sexual violence and influencing social change by producing a short film about her childhood experiences with sexual abuse.[12] She has been hosted as a guest at several college campuses, government agencies and community events around the U.S to share her stories and screen her films with the aim of creating social change.[13]

McNeal's awards include winning best director for her film “The Voiceless,” Women Filmmaker Award of Recognition, 2017 YWCA Young Woman of Tomorrow Award of Recognition, 2018 STATEment Maker award and in 2019 she was presented with the Outstanding Iowa Anti-Trafficking Service Award.[1]

Filmography
  • I am: The Vanessa McNeal Story (2015)
  • We are Survivors (2016)
  • The Voiceless (2017)
  • Gridshock (2019)

References
  1. Smith, Sage (April 11, 2019). "Filmmaker and Iowa State alumni Vanessa McNeal premieres new film". Iowa State Daily. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  2. "Sexual violence victims find a voice in groundbreaking documentary". www.kcci.com. Retrieved April 5, 2019.
  3. "UNI students release film on surviving sexual violence". www.wcfcourier.com/. Retrieved April 5, 2019.
  4. "'Gridshock: Iowa Sex Trafficking Film'". Retrieved April 5, 2019.
  5. "Vanessa McNeal's 'Gridshock' Documentary Exposes Iowa's Sex Trafficking Demand". Retrieved April 5, 2019.
  6. Donahey, Mike (November 4, 2019). ""Gridshock" human trafficking film has Marshalltown premier". timesrepublican.com/. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  7. "Johns/Buyers Fuel Sex Trafficking Demand: Vanessa McNeal TEDxCedarRapids". Retrieved April 5, 2019.
  8. "The Power of a Single Story: Vanessa McNeal-TEDxIowaStateUniversity". Retrieved April 5, 2019.
  9. "Alumna Vanessa McNeal will premiere and discuss her new documentary on campus March 27". Retrieved April 5, 2019.
  10. Legaspi, Sofia. "Filmmaker to speak on sex trafficking". Northern Iowan. Retrieved April 5, 2019.
  11. Kelley, Matt (March 27, 2019). "Iowan hopes documentary on human trafficking will raise awareness". Radio Iowa. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  12. "Davenport native shares traumatic past in documentary". www.qconline.com. Retrieved April 5, 2019.
  13. "A Proud Survivor". DSM. Retrieved April 5, 2019.
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