Surviving domestic abuse stories
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Ray Rice’s attack on his wife has a lot of people talking about domestic violence this week. And tonight a group of local abuse survivors are releasing a book detailing their struggles.
The stories celebrate the 20th anniversary of Phoenix Place, a shelter for abused women, here in Hamilton.
Three former residents of the shelter will read their stories — each of them very different. One about escaping abuse. Another about redeeming the abuser through counselling, and beginning a completely different life together.
Carol Wiggins is the CEO of Phoenix Place, and she about tonight’s event and how clients of the home feel, in the aftermath of the story of Ray and Janay Rice earlier this week: “Their primary message is this could be you — this could be anyone. Because people don’t think it could happen to them. It’s not for me to say whether what she is doing is right or wrong. She is doing what she thinks she need to do, and hopefully she’s getting some help to deal with what’s happening. We know it could be anyone. It could be your neighbour, your sister, your cousin, your daughter. It’s not strangers.”
Tonight’s event will run for about another hour, at the Workers Heritage Centre on Stuart Street. There are tickets still available at the door — and of course the book “Stories from the Starting Over House” will also be available.
