I Can Speak (the Unspeakable) for Myself

Abstract

The stories shared in this chapter are taken directly from transcripts of group and one-on-one interviews with six women, the chapter also includes excerpts from written narratives they provided. All but one of the women were children under eleven years old the first time they experienced intimate violence, and the person who abused them was a member of their immediate or extended family. These women reflect diversity in age, education, employment, and sexual orientation. They are married, single, partnered, mothers, daughters, friends, and sisters who shared deeply with me about their inner lives and the encounters and relationships that helped and/or hindered them.