Rockford’s Poet Laureate, Jenna Goldsmith, came to visit the Family Peace Center.
During a lesson on epistolary poetry, we were asked to think about what we had to say, instead of who we wanted to say it to.
This was difficult for me.
I lead trainings on domestic violence often and think of what this audience needs to hear first.
Jenna encouraged us to think about what we individually know that no one else does that we need to share.
I reflected on the stories that domestic violence advocates carry, the expertise we have in things that are utterly tragic, and how we sit with knowing who the abusers are.
Every opportunity we have to be with a survivor and hear their story is a privilege.
More: Your turn: Shining a light on domestic violence and the needs of people with disabilities
What can become defeating for us and them is knowing their truth and having to fight so hard to get people to believe it.
On one hand, I understand. It is devastating to acknowledge that there are people who actively and intentionally hurt those they claim to love the most.