In Vickie’s poem, Bad Girl, she discusses the guilt and shame associated with being assaulted as a child, as well as the emotional repercussions that can be felt in adulthood.
In this poem, an anonymous women’s resource center client in Traverse City, MI gives a voice to her feelings. She also explores the idea of validation, something that we don’t realize is often times lost after a sexual assault. Although it appears her validation came after a startling life event, it is with great hope that her journey to recovery was assisted by these feelings.
Read Fears and Tears.
Susanna shares a breathtaking poem for our newest SAAM feature, Winds of Autumn. Winds of Autumn is beautifully written and wonderfully fluid, definitely a great piece!
Today, we’re featuring a poem by Megan Molargik called “The Love of a Friend”, simply because it reminds us of the healing that can be done through the strength of a community. Join us in recognizing Megan’s strength, as well as the hope and love we find in each other.
In today’s SAAM feature, Michelle uses her story to shed light on an oft ignored sexual assault circumstance: sex workers being raped. For some heinous reason, the validity of this issue is constantly up for debate, and sex workers must work even harder to prove their stories when pursuing prosecution for their attackers. Her story is powerful and heart-wrenching, an eye-opening experience for anyone who doesn’t believe sexual assault can occur when a sex worker is involved. With more stories like these, we can only hope to open the eyes of the ignorant and begin combatting sexual violence towards all people, no matter their occupation. Read Michelle’s story.
A victim impact statement, first exercised during the Manson Murder trials in 1969 by victim Sharon Tate’s mother, Doris Tate, is “a victim’s written statement which is submitted to the United States Attorney’s Office and forwarded to probation who then submits it to the Judge to review before sentencing the defendant. It personalizes to the Judge the emotional, physical, and financial impact you and others have suffered as a direct result of this crime. Since some victims are uncomfortable with completing a formal statement for review, the Judge will also consider a personal letter. Victim Impact Statements may be seen by the defendant and the defense attorney.” *
In this compelling impact statement written by Elizabeth, we are reminded of the power of words. Elizabeth summoned the strength to repeat the words of her attacker as a tool for persuading the Judge on her case to increase her attacker’s sentence:
“..As you contemplate a sentence, please consider his parting words that play over and over again in my head: “Have a nice life, Bitch.”
Read the entire impact statement.
* source: US DOJ
Merideth’s poem, titled “Running”, allows the reader to travel with her as she runs from her deepest, darkest moments and into self-reclamation and hope. Capturing both her strength and depair, “Running” is a well-documented journey of one survivor’s story of recovery.