APRIL SUPPORTS SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE, CHILD ABUSE AND VIOLENT CRIMES

Beautiful people, April is recognized as National Sexual Assault Awareness Month and National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and it also contains National Crime Victim’s Rights Awareness Week. In honor of survivors of childhood sexual violence, my image in the above photo, where it replaced that of Jerry Sandusky, former Penn State Football coach and convicted pedophile, in the Inspiration Mural near Penn State following his conviction in June 2012, has a blue ribbon wound through my hair and body. The month of April offers many opportunities to support survivors of violence, and to raise awareness of the need for that support. My deepest gratitude to muralist Michael Pilato, Pilato Murals, and The Public Art Academy for the honor of their choice to replace Sandusky’s image with mine in recognition of my 30 years of activism on behalf of survivors of both sexual and domestic violence. Thank you, Michael, for this honor and for all of the work you do to honor survivors and their healing.

As April draws our attention to an array of intersecting issues, I wanted to also point your attention to this extensive listing of International Resources for Survivors of Sexual and Domestic Violence available on my website, in the event that you or someone in your life is in need of support and/or assistance.  

My book, the scorched earth, is also used widely as a resource for survivors, as it documents my own journey from victimization to survivorship, through healing from a history of both sexual and domestic violence into empowerment and advocacy as an award-winning poet, activist, speaker and teacher. 

This 2015 expanded, second edition of the scorched earth includes:

• The Foreword by Eve Ensler, award-winning author of The Vagina Monologues,
• the scorched earth: spoken Audio Companion of me performing all 35 poems,
• An in-depth, comprehensive Discussion and Study Guide designed for use in avariety of settings to explore the issues of both domestic and sexual violence and
• A listing of International Resources for Survivors of both forms of violence.

You are not alone. It is not your fault. You will be believed. 
And there is support available to hold you as you find your way. 

All peace to each one of you. Dora