Giving Survivors a Voice: Maggie Ginsberg Schutz
By Our Bodies Ourselves • April 12, 2010
Please note: This entry -- originally posted at Our Bodies, Our Blog -- has not been updated since the publication date listed above.
Entrant: Deborah Schutz
Nominee: Maggie Ginsberg Schutz, freelance writer and creater of Violence UnSilenced
Violence UnSilenced was created by Maggie Ginsberg Schutz in February 2009, to shed light within the blogging community on domestic violence and sexual abuse/assault by giving survivors a voice. From the mission statement:One of the last hurdles to eradicating abuse is the culture of silence and shame that exists yet today. You very likely have people in your life that are being abused, you just don’t realize it. Victims are led to believe they are alone, that no one will believe them, and that people will think less of them. Heavy societal pressure generally falls on the victim (ie, “Why doesn’t she leave?”) instead of on the person committing the crime (ie, “Why doesn’t he?”)
Every situation is complicated and unique, and there is no stereotype. Every single survivor of abuse is different from his or her comrades, and by sharing stories here we can educate ourselves as to just how pervasive domestic violence and sexual abuse/assault is, and how it crosses all cultural, racial, gender, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic lines. This is our society’s collective issue, not simply a problem of those directly impacted. There are 70 million blogs out there, and one in four women will experience abuse in her lifetime. We who are active in the blogosphere have a responsibility to listen to our friends and to spread the word, so that we can strip abusers of this critical power. I also believe very, very strongly in the cathartic power of writing.
The video below was created in honor of the project's 1-year anniversary.
10 Responses
Tiffany on
Shared on my blog....powerful. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt.
KT on
I hope you will consider reading my survival story. It is a work in progress
http://www.learninghealinghope.com/
angelynn on
Violence Unsilenced is an amazing site. Maggie, along with everyone who has contributed, has formed a wonderful and incredibly supportive community.
JennyMac on
MommaKiss sent me. So glad she did. You are inspiring other women to share their stories too. Bravo.
MommaKiss on
I blogged about this in the morning - didn't come by til now. Silly (procrastinating) ME!!
Love to see the internet used for GOOD. And this? This VU? It's good. Nothing but love.
mrsblogalot on
MommaKiss sent me also. So glad. Yeah, she's right about what she says up there. This is used for good.
Best Womens Health & Fitness on
Violence Unsilenced site is such a great tool for those who are suffering alone and giving them the ability to speak out. Fantastic and inspiring work in helping others not to be afraid to speak out
Cheryl on
Maggie, I just love you. You are my hero. Maybe someday I'll speak out too. Btw, the video for the 1 year anniversary of VU made me cry like an effing baby. I'm SO proud of these guys and gals for speaking out. XOXO's you've ALWAYS got my vote! @Jasperblu
Laura on
VU is an amazing way for people to make those who have suffered the unspeakable able to speak. I am constantly moved by those who share the details of their stories and am inspired by their power.
Katherine at Postpartum Progress on
I'm honored to be nominated alongside Maggie. I don't know her personally, but I know her project (Violence Unsilenced) and think it is amazing and wonderful. Women who've experienced either domestic violence or sexual abuse are at a higher risk of getting postpartum depression, so this topic is important to me as well (along with being important to me, of course, simply as a fellow human being).