First observed in October 1981 as a national “Day of Unity,” Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) is held each October as a way to unite advocates across the nation in their efforts to end domestic violence. Communities and advocacy organizations across the country connect with the public and one another throughout the month to raise awareness about the signs of abuse and ways to stop it and uplift survivor stories and provide additional resources to leaders and policymakers.
In honor of this vital community awareness month, we’re spotlighting a book club that is doing important work to break the silence of domestic abuse: Finding Our Voices, an online book club led by Patrisha McLean, award-winning reporter, photographer, and activist. Patrisha also founded the non-profit Finding Our Voices to support those affected by domestic abuse, after she escaped her own abusive marriage.
Bookclubs founder, Anna Ford recently sat down with Patrisha to chat about the Finding Our Voices Book Club and the ways books can help heal, organize, and empower. Watch the interview via YouTube below!
Interview with Patrisha McLean
In Her Own Words: Patrisha Shares Her Experience With Domestic Abuse
"My eyes were opened to the dynamic of being trapped with angry and controlling intimate partners following the domestic violence arrest of my husband of 29 years. Now, I see this dynamic kind of everywhere, even where most other people don't notice it. You can even see it play out in literature! Power imbalance, bullying, and cruelty in relationships can be seen in books not typically categorized as being about domestic abuse. So I decided it would be neat to have a book club where we read books that contain elements of domestic abuse but are not obviously about domestic abuse, opening our eyes and minds together to this dynamic and talking about it. I really like that our members are a mix of survivors of domestic abuse and those with no experience with it, as it makes for illuminating conversations on both sides."
Finding Our Voices Book Club
The Finding Our Voices Book Club boasts a membership of 270 members and meets virtually for an hour once a month to illuminate the complexity, insidiousness, and pervasiveness of domestic abuse by reading and discussing a wide range of books that are about the subject. The club is a welcoming safe space for survivors of domestic violence, loved ones of survivors, as well as those who have never experienced it. The book club most recently read Sarah Perry’s memoir, After the Eclipse, and was joined by the author for their meeting!
Finding Our Voices on Tour Fall 2023
The team at Finding Our Voices is on tour breaking the silence of domestic abuse, one community and conversation at a time, with powerful short films and survivors leading a discussion around emotional abuse and its impact on children.
Upcoming Events:
- November 7, 10 a.m. to noon, Skidompha Library in Damariscotta
- November 28, evening, Camden Public Library. A panel discussion featuring men talking about growing up in domestic violence.
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