It’s difficult to raise awareness for the sensitive subject of sexual abuse and assault. On Thursday, Madeline’s House hosted a slam poetry event at the Farmville Library to raise awareness during sexual assault and abuse awareness month.
Madeline’s House, established in 1999, is a non-profit organization that helps anyone who is suffering from domestic and/or sexual abuse. The organization’s name came from a woman named Madeline who suffered from mental and physical abuse from her husband.
“Her story is a compelling one, I’m from the area, I grew up knowing the story,” said Farmville resident Alyce Loeser. “The story has meant different things for me at different times in my life, especially now that I have daughters.”
Trying to ensure the safety of the two daughters and trying to get away from her estranged husband, Madeline was unable to find a shelter for her and the girls. She was able to stay with friends close to her home, but on Sept. 6, 1998, her husband broke into the house and killed Madeline before killing himself. Their daughters had been ordered to stay outside during the confrontation and therefore, survived.
“I think what Madeline’s House does is very important, and I like poetry, (so) I thought it was a great combination of the two,” said Loeser.
“I thought it was fabulous, it’s hard to bring awareness to sexual assault in a not workshoppy way, a much more creative way,” said Dr. Jennifer Glass, Longwood staff psychologist. “This would be a cool way to get more participation on campus.”
Residents from Farmville and students from Longwood University listened and cited different poems about domestic and/or sexual assault. Some of the poems were written by the speakers, while others were read from published poets. Loeser was one of the candidates who wrote a poem for the event, about how Madeline’s house was not only important, but what it meant to her.
“I think it went pretty well, always nice to see a room full of people who are passionate about the same thing,” said Kaitlyn Considine, case worker at Madeline’s House.
After each piece of poetry was presented, the room would clap and there would be discussion about the inspiration for the piece and its significance. Most of the poems were about sexual assault and/or abuse, some of them personal, while others spoke of someone else’s story.
“I’ve always really loved poetry, it’s like condensed soup, it has all of the substance of a larger piece of work but it’s just condensed down,” said Elizabeth Chassey, domestic violence and sexual abuse program director. “I feel like it’s as strong, if not stronger, than prose, the way things are compact like that make it more visceral and immediate and that’s very similar to trauma.
Madeline's House Hosts a Slam Poetry event for those who have suffered from domestic and sexual violence.
Madeline's House Hosts a Slam Poetry event for those who have suffered from domestic and sexual violence.
Madeline's House Hosts a Slam Poetry event for those who have suffered from domestic and sexual violence.
Madeline's House Hosts a Slam Poetry event for those who have suffered from domestic and sexual violence.
