In the Shadow of Your Wings: Photography & Reflections

Lynn Mari is a freelance writer and college student.

Through “In the Shadow of Your Wings”, Lynn uses art and writing as medium to give a voice to victims of domestic violence, and the plight of survivors struggling to escape abuse.

Earth bound spirits, she called them by name…
All those who had suffered
Who had been forced to carry secrets
Who had been beaten, abused
Who had been betrayed
Who had been denied love
And spread her arms,
as if she were turning the pages of her family album.
When she closed her arms,
she hugged her memories close to her heart
then shook her hair free so that it fell
in wild tangles down her shoulders
and watched as the shadows dispersed
into brilliant rays.

Poem by Lynn Mari, 11/4/2006.
Description: An exploration of violence, grief and healing from the enslavement of Africans in the early part of the century to the present.

All voices are respected on this page, please feel free to leave any thoughts or questions you may have in the comment box, you may remain anonymous.

SAFETY ALERT: Your abuser can monitor your use of your computer and the Internet.

If you at risk, use a safer computer, or call the Minnesota Domestic Violence Crisis Line at 1-866-223-1111 if you are in Minnesota, or the National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) for help.

Stalking is a form of abuse that creates terror, intimidation, fear and often employs “crazy making” in a victim. Through online stalking, perpetrator gains access to a victim from a remote place; and often is able to instill fear or terror without physical contact through emotional or psychological forms of abuse. Stalking is often a prelude to other forms of violence, including assault (physical abuse).
According to AARDVARC, “The difference between harrassment and stalking is a distinction of the law. Stalking occurs when harrassing behavior is repeated, is threatening, is purposefully directed at a specific person, and would cause a reasonable person to fear bodily injury or death for themselves or a family member. Sometimes, it’s just surveillance; everyplace you go, the stalker is there. Without a doubt it’s emotional terrorism. The victim can’t get away.”
When stalked on the Internet, you may not even know your activities are being watched, and monitored. If you are in a controlling or abusive relationship, it would be safe to assume that you are being watched while online and to take all safety precautions possible.

For Help: AARDVARC Stalking Information and Resources (Includes what to do if stalked, state resources, statistics and more)
http://www.aardvarc.org/stalking/main.shtml