27
Not All Those Who Wander Are Lost
Filed under: Healing, Rape, Sexual Abuse, Speak, Speaking Engagements | Tags: cny (6), community (5), courage (5), embrace, journey, Rape (12), Report to the Community, Sexual Abuse (9), Sexual Violence (5), speak (2), stories (3), survivors services domestic, Syracuse Area Domestic & Sexual Violence Coalition, vera house, voice (3), Women (9), young women (6) | October 27th, 2010
Gratitude
Today, I was one of the survivors who spoke at the Syracuse Area Domestic & Sexual Violence Coalition’s Report to the Community. This coalition was established to bring together concerned community members and representatives from law enforcement agencies and professional groups to improve local services and create system level change on issues of domestic and sexual violence.
It was such a privilege to have been asked by Colleen O’Brien and Jennifer Shaw of Syracuse’s Vera House to speak at this important community event. Only survivors can truly appreciate the depth of emotion it takes to open up and divulge such a personal aspect like Rape to a roomful of strangers. But by giving in to this emotional outreach – you can just feel the compassion, healing and love surface and surround you like a warm, soothing blanket gently draped across your shoulders.
For the other brave and courageous young women who spoke publicly for the very first time about their experiences with rape and domestic violence – my deepest and sincerest gratitude for the courage and bravery it took to stand at the podium and speak. What a privilege it was for me to witness your stories.
And for the people who approached me after the event had ended – a heartfelt and sincere thank you for taking the time to speak with me. One woman even told me she didn’t care if she got a parking ticket from her meter expiring – she was going to wait her turn to have the chance to speak with me. You have no idea what a gift you were to me today!
Your hugs were amazing and your stories unforgettable. To have you confide your deepest, possibly darkest, secrets to me and gain your trust – is an honor of epic proportion to me.
The best part of participating in these empowering events is the depth of emotion exchanged. I was able to lend my voice to those who lost theirs and hopefully, in some way, I illuminated the darkness in another person’s life.
It was not my presentation that I will remember but what I witnessed in the voices of others, the long-lasting embraces and the trust gained from those who shared their stories that will continue to sustain me on this journey.
~ Renee
