Mission: Authentic Voices of North Dakota provides opportunities for survivors and others impacted by child abuse or neglect to educate adults and protect children by sharing their Voices.

OBJECTIVES:

Preventing child abuse and neglect through education for parents and professionals

Protecting future generations by sharing our Voices for those who have been silenced

Healing adults and children affected by child abuse and neglect through our Survivor's Network

We are your teachers, bankers, musicians, secretaries, social workers, physicians and neighbors. Yet, we were once scared children whose bodies and minds bore the brunt of abuse and neglect. Though we still struggle with the pain and memories, it's our turn to save the children.

We invite you to join a growing group of people whose lives have been directly and/or indirectly affected by child abuse or neglect. Together, we can shed light on this silent crisis. Children cannot advocate for themselves. Members have opportunities to advocate for children and families at various events across North Dakota. We provide training to our members in effective child abuse prevention techniques, the Adverse Childhood Experience study, public speaking, and the role survivor's play in prevention.

Speaking up is what membership is about. Our society tends to ignore child abuse and to avoid discussing it. We can only end child abuse and neglect when people recognize it and unite in the process, and speaking up cannot be accomplished by professionals alone. Board support of survivors is so important in preventing, protecting, and healing us all.

Child abuse and neglect costs the U.S. $103.8 billion a year. From hospitalization to mental health treatment and from juvenile delinquency to adult criminality, it affects each of our communities and each of us.

Please contact us for more information about Authentic Voices or to schedule a speaker.

Calling for Creative Writing!

Thank you to all creative writers who have contributed their brilliant writings to the Authentic Voices publication!  With over 50 creative contributions, we are busy reading, compiling, designing, and organizaing.  At times, we may need to do some very light editing of the material we have received -- in order to have consistency of style and to redact potentially identifying information.  We will treat each piece of writing with great respect and will do our best to help each author shine.  The publication will be released this summer. 

My Name

by Anonymous

Bismarck, North Dakota

Fear is not my name.

I will not be known by fear.

No longer will I wear the name of fear

upon my eyes.

There is another name,

another name to call me,

if you ask who I have been, if you ask

who I will be.

I am courage.

 "You can find Authentic Voices on Facebook and stay up-to-date on book signings, gatherings, and other events."

Related Information

Documents

Authentic Voices Brochure