Nonprofit’s survivor-led public forum is one of a slew of fall events breaking the silence of domestic abuse across Maine
BANGOR — Survivors of domestic abuse will lead a public forum at the Eastern Maine Community College in Bangor on Oct. 1, launching a fusillade of activities by Finding Our Voices breaking the silence during Domestic Abuse Awareness Month.
The Tuesday 4-5:30 p.m. event is free and open to the public, and will be preceded by short films and followed by a reception with refreshments. Bangor Savings Bank is the event’s lead sponsor.
Panelists include local author and wellbriety coach Melody Paul; Betsy Thurston who has been a registered nurse in the Bangor area for 38 years; and Caroline McKuen whose pastor’s discounting of scary abuse by her ex led her to create an advocacy group to help other churchwomen. Jolene Miles from the Lewiston area will speak about how the courts and police enabled her ex to amass a 35-page criminal record with no safety in sight for her family and community.
Dr. Elizabeth True, vice president of Eastern Maine Community College, said, “So many of our students, especially in the age of digital communications, are not aware of the warning signs of an unhealthy relationship that could escalate to violence. My hope is that we can educate our community about warning signs as well as resources for those who need to escape a dangerous relationship.”
Dr. True is a board member of Finding Our Voices, the grassroots and statewide nonprofit shining a light on domestic abuse for the sake of the general public and empowering survivors to get and stay safe with a host of programs that include financial assistance, online support groups, and the Finding Our Smiles program of free, dignified, and gold standard dental career.
Other stops of the Finding Our Voices Fall “Let’s Talk About It” tour include Southern Maine Community College on Oct. 9, Elements Books Coffee Beer in Biddeford on Oct. 14, the Maine Irish Heritage Center in Portland on Oct. 24 and the Falmouth Memorial Library on Oct. 26.
The nonprofit is welcoming acclaimed author Andre Dubus lll as its October guest of its online women’s book club, to talk about the domestic abuse running through so many of his works. The Briar Patch Bookstore in Bangor is providing a discount on Dubus books for participants of the Oct. 8 online discussion.
For more information about Finding Our Voices including its fall events visit FindingOurVoices.net or contact McLean at [email protected].
