Panel discussion, public rally, self-defense workshop launch nonprofit’s month-long promotion of October’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month
BAR HARBOR — Finding Our Voices, the grassroots, statewide nonprofit dedicated to advocating for and providing support to women survivors of domestic abuse, has announced Bar Harbor events launching October’s national Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
On Monday, Oct. 6 at 6 p.m., Hidden Barn Books in Bar Harbor is hosting a Finding Our Voices Survivor-Speaks panel discussion. Topics will include the devastation of emotional and financial abuse and advice on how to best help a loved one who is in an unhealthy relationship. Panelists include Sarah Doucette, author of “Stronger Than That: A Domestic Violence Survivor Uncovers the Truth About Her Abuser”, 85-year-old Mary Lou Smith who is celebrating her 20-year anniversary of freedom and the founder of ArtWaves Liz Cutler.
This event is free and open to the public and includes refreshments.
Hidden Barn Books is also hosting a 2 p.m. Finding Our Voices sign-making workshop that day for survivors and their allies to express what they want the public to know about domestic abuse. Art supplies and blank signs will be available. A Survivor-Solidarity public rally will follow on the Village Green from 3:30-5 p.m. with participants encouraged to wear yellow, the color of Finding Our Voices.
Women domestic abuse survivors are invited to sign up for an all-day Finding Our Voices Healing Together retreat on Sunday, Oct. 5 in Bar Harbor. Kelly Cutler and Raz Chen will teach practical self-defense skills rooted in natural instincts based on the Krav Maga method, followed by an art and writing workshop led by Liz Cutler. Lunch is included and the fee is sliding-scale.
For a complete list of the many Finding Our Voices events in October including panel discussion in Brooklin and Deer Isle, and registration information for the Oct. 5 Healing Retreat, visit https://findingourvoices.net/events-1.
Finding Our Voices is the grassroots survivor-led nonprofit boldly breaking the silence of domestic abuse in Maine as well as providing meaningful support to its sisters including an online support group, Get Out Stay Out funding and donated dental care. For more information visit https://findingourvoices.net/.
