Brooke Forbes

Jess Lemmich

Survival is an Instinct is a luminous and unflinching exploration of trauma, mental illness, and the creative will to survive. Brooke Forbes writes with raw honesty and striking beauty about what it means to rebuild yourself after life unravels. Blending memoir, fiction, and reflection, she transforms pain into art that feels both deeply personal and universally human. This book stayed with me long after I finished it. Brooke’s words are brave, compassionate, and full of truth. She doesn’t shy away from the darkness, but somehow still finds light within it. Survival is an Instinct reminds us that creativity is healing, and that even after the hardest experiences, it’s possible to write — and live — your way back to yourself.”

Kate Johnson

Brooke’s powerful book is a fearless testament to the truth: the raw, visceral truth of trauma, the reality of living with overwhelming challenge, and the hidden ways pain manifests within us. Yet, at its core, this is a story of survival. It is about the human capacity to fight back, turning suffering into enduring power. Through stunningly honest narrative, Brooke charts her path forward, illuminating the complex process of healing and the ultimate freedom of sharing one’s authentic self with the world. For too long, she fought her battle against sexual assault and trauma in silence. Now, her refusal to be silent is her greatest strength—her power to rise and speak her truth. Interspersed with short stories that sing of the deep humanness in the world, her writing flows like a beautiful, melodic song—rhythmic, deep, and soulful. This book is a powerful testimony to the vital necessity of creativity and writing as tools for survival, offering hope that we can all transform our darkest moments into our most profound sources of connection and purpose.”

WGG Australia

WGG Australia is proud to recognise and support Survival is an Instinct by Brooke Forbes, a courageous and deeply moving work that gives voice to the realities of sexual violence, mental illness, and recovery.

This book captures what many survivors know too well: that justice is not always found in courtrooms, but in the ongoing act of surviving, creating, and reclaiming one’s story. Through a blend of memoir and fiction, Brooke’s writing invites readers into the complex and often misunderstood intersections of trauma, psychosis, and healing.

As an organisation dedicated to preventing sexual violence and supporting those affected by it, WGG Australia acknowledges the bravery it takes to write and share such personal experiences. Survival is an Instinct is not only an act of art, it is an act of resistance. It challenges stigma, amplifies survivor voices, and reminds us that creative expression can be a pathway to justice and recovery.

We recognise the sensitivity of the topics explored in this work, including sexual assault, mental illness, and suicidality. Brooke approaches these subjects with authenticity and emotional honesty, refusing to sanitise the lived experiences of survivors. We encourage readers to engage with the book safely and with care, and we urge publishers, educators, and community leaders to use this work to foster understanding, compassion, and change.

WGG Australia stands in support of Brooke Forbes and the message at the heart of her book, that survival itself is a radical act of hope, and that through storytelling, we move closer to collective healing and accountability.” WGG Australia, a dedicated charity organisation advocating for meaningful reforms in the areas of domestic, sexual, and family violence.

Kyle Tregidgo

Survival is an Instinct emphasises the importance of truth, risk and advocacy, underscoring the need for justice and reform. Brooke’s accounts of power imbalances and consent highlight an unfortunate, yet still prevalent scourge facing women in the corporate world, and at large. Similarly, Brooke’s acknowledgement of the legal obstacles faced by survivors, as expressed by a now-legal professional, are profound. It emphasises the long reach; ‘silence’ plays even for professionals. This aligns with Brooke’s call for systemic reform and collective advocacy. Brooke’s voice is a powerful truth that will not be silenced despite the known risks. Hence profound!