Contributors to "Authentic Voices," a book of poetry and other writings about the experience and impact of childhood abuse and sexual assault, will read from their work at an open forum Wednesday night at Mayville State University.
"It was a chance to be strong for the little one inside me who was never heard or able to say anything," said Linda Salversonof Grand Forks, one of the writers.
The project was organized last year by Karen Van Fossan, an editor working with Prevent Child Abuse North Dakota, encouraging people who had suffered child abuse or sexual assault to write about it.
"It drags up a lot of stuff, but it helps people, too," Salverson said. "You have to do everything you can once you find a voice. It's a wonderful place to be in when you're able to talk about it."
The public reading and book signing is at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Campus Center's Heritage Room.
ADVERTISEMENT
Thousands of the booklets have been distributed, Van Fossan said. Copies are available at the Grand Forks Public Library and UND's Chester Fritz Library. More information is available at www.pcand.org or by emailing info@pcand.org or calling (800) 403-9932.
Reach Haga at (701) 780-1102; (800) 477-6572, ext. 102; or send email to chaga@gfherald.com .
