Sponsored by The Department of Psychiatry’s Office of Mental Health Promotion, Willow Domestic Violence Services, A Window Between Worlds, Advocacy Services for Abused Deaf Victims, community artist Morgan Kennedy, and The Susan B. Anthony Center for Women’s Leadership.

“It has been said that time heals all wounds. I do not agree. The wounds remain. In time, the mind, protecting its sanity, covers them with scar tissue, and the pain lessens, but it is never gone. It happened. It's over. There was nothing I could do about that.

But, I had to make some sense of it. I had to analyze, talk, remember...

then, could I let it go. Move on and cherish every minute of your life.“

~Survivor, ASADV

“Domestic violence is like wearing an inmate ID number. It comes in many forms: physical, mental and psychological. There is hurt, pain and undo suffering behind the mask that we wear to protect the abusers. In my case it was my own family that abused me with that double edge sword.

One day I came to, like I was living in a fog. I decided to say to myself ‘no more!’ This is the end. And I chose to concentrate and self-reflect on what I have been through and the damage that was already done.

It took me 35 years to come to this realization and take charge of getting help. I reached out to those that had compassion and

Love steered the way.

~Survivor, Willow DV Center

“I was struggling for a while and never thought I would be in a place where I am now, especially happier and in a great relationship where I

my partner and

~Survivor, ASADV

“I wanted to show how my perspective changed as I separated from the people who abused me during childhood and sought help.

I felt small and alone. I could see bits of hope in the distance but they seemed far away and still isolated. I felt anyone who tried to help me was dangerous and prying. I was taught that asking for help meant the abuse would get worse. I was also afraid that if people knew the truth, they wouldn't want to be around me anymore. I thought I needed to stay quiet and alone to survive.

Now I look back on the situation with a bird's eye view. I can see that the sharp points were really the beginning of many roads to a happy life. There were

who would guide me to a place rich with hope.”

~Survivor, ASADV

“The part of the poem read -what impacted me most was the part about 'nothing I do provokes the violence. Nothing about me causes the violence.' That part made me realize it had nothing to do with me. I always try to rationalize it or find reasons for why things happen to me. When you're aware of the reality, stop blaming yourself,

and even more, make sure no one does it to you again.”

~Survivor, Willow DV Center

“I was so stressed about having to get papers served to my abuser, I felt panicked. During group, focusing on healthy relationships, making the charms and hearing the music and the reassuring thoughts of the facilitators, I felt determined and more

~Survivor, Willow DV Center

“Thank you for giving us women the opportunity to take time to reflect on our inner being. It makes me feel good to make something that reminds me of when I was a child, it brings back memories of peace, quiet,

~Survivor, Willow DV Center

“I feel lighter after letting out some of what I feel about the abuse that my family experienced. Now, I know that I am better than what he wanted me to believe. I am strong and smart!

anymore.”

~Survivor, Willow DV Center

“I was able to

my emotions with colors rather than words, and that is amazing to me.”

~Survivor, Willow DV Center

“I was able to express myself a little more. It made me think about my past, my present, and how I want my future to turn out.”

~Survivor, Willow DV Center

“I know better who I am and where I am going after doing this.

more.”

~Survivor, Willow DV Center

“El taller me ayudo en mi proceso de encontrar de tomar decisiones saludables en el futuro.”

(The workshop helped me in my process of finding the value in making healthy decisions for my future.)

~Survivor, Willow DV Center

to our many artists, coordinators, donors, and visitors!