Cyra Perry Dougherty

The Anatomy of Silence, edited by Cyra Perry Dougherty, is a powerful testament that should be read whether or not you already think you understand the problems around sexual violence

These stories are each moving in their own way. Like any such collection, some will strike closer to home than others, but they all will elicit some kind of strong sentiment in you. They appeal to the reader on multiple levels, sometimes within the same piece, sometimes not. There are accounts that highlight the helpless feeling and the feeling of isolation and abandonment. There are also accounts that use that as a springboard into a more clinical expression, but still personal in nature.

The key theme running through them, for other survivors of sexual violence, is that you are not alone and that you do indeed matter. For those of us fortunate enough to have not experienced this type of violence, every account offers insight into what we can and should do if we know someone who is or has experienced it. And for medical professionals, to quote from one of the stories; "The intervention needed is simple: it's to ask. Not asking, therefore, becomes a dereliction and a malpractice of sorts."

I stated in the opening I think everyone should read this regardless of whether the topic is old or new to you. I say this because, if it is new, you need to understand the personal aspect of what is happening and how it is often implicitly sanctioned by various power structures. If the topic is not new to you, I am a firm believer that we periodically need to remind ourselves why we beat our heads against the brick wall and rejoice, ever so briefly, when we cause the smallest of cracks. Whatever emotions this generates for you, anger, sadness, disgust, or any other, needs to be revisited so we can remain vigilant and tireless. If these people can be strong enough to share these stories, we owe them not only a listen but any support and action we can offer to minimizing future violence.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via Edelweiss.… (plus d'informations)