Survivors’ Network: Silent No More!
“Silent No More!” is the motto of the Survivors’ Network.
This page celebrates the life of everyone who has survived domestic tyranny in all its guises: child abuse and neglect, incest, sexual molestation, date rape and abuse, emotional abuse, financial abuse, and spousal abuse. Membership is open to all survivors and those who have steadfastly and bravely protected us. We all were created with the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
I believe that all men AND women are created equal. I believe we all have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I believe we were all endowed with this right by our Creator.
- Anne Caroline Drake, July 4, 2010
Related post: Silent No More! Survivors’ Declaration of Independence from Domestic Tyranny
YES!
Oh, I’m SO happy you are the first to sign up! You’ve been bringing liberty to mothers for a VERY long time by breaking down the walls of silence!
Thank you, Mama Liberty!
Anne Caroline
Count me in! I’m never going to shut up, and I’m never going away!
Thank you Anne Caroline!
Nancy
Wa-hoo! I now know how John Hancock felt when he scribbled his name in letters big enough for King George to read. Thanks, Nancy!
I’m soaking up everyone’s info…so annoyed and so frustrated.
Welcome, Army Cav Wife!
I hear you. I think we’re all damned tired of being annoyed and frustrated.
Last week, I discovered that shining a bright light on the injustices and dysfunctions works.
Anne Caroline
Awesome!!!
I seem to be the only one willing to stand up to my abuser. Since he has been allowed to continue to control through the court system he has been awarded temporary custody. Almost a year ago, since then he has denied me visitation with our son on a regular basis. He has made three different abuse allegations to drag out our case. In May the Judge put strict language in our Order stating that an officer shall assist in exchanges. Meaning they we will help me get my son when he tries to deny me visitation again. My abuser sure showed them, he took our son to a Dr. several times and 11 days later we have new allegations and he files a 50 B against me on behalf of our son.
I know my son is being abused by his father. I also know my abuser is usingour son to make me suffer by denying us a relationship. Monday we go to court, I have already been informed that it is going to be continued until once again another “investigation” is complete. My attorney stated he would try to get me visitation, even if just for a day and supervised by a family member. I am SAYING NO!!!!! Everytime I have visitation, my abuser gets angry, and doctor shops with our son. I do not think it is healthy for a child to be dragged from one doctor to another just so my abuser can try and make some allegation stick. I do not think it is in the best interest of my son to have visitation with me as my abuser makes him suffer afterwards. If the Judge believes it is in the best interest of the child to reside with his father, an abuser with a record that proves it, a man who continues to deny visitation, than so be it. BUT I WILL NO LONGER BE APART OF MY SON BEING ABUSED!!!
Thanks for making me stronger:)
Debbie,
I am so sorry you are experiencing such pain and abuse. Sadly, many abusers have discovered how effectively the court system can be manipulated as an instrument of abuse. And, even more sadly, judges seem to be clueless as to what is happening in front of them.
You will notice a big yellow judicial guide at the bottom right of each of my pages. It is free and available on-line. Your attorney should read it, and a copy should be given to your judge. Also, there are classes available to bring judges up to speed. If the judges where you live haven’t taken the classes (most haven’t), I strongly urge you to read my posts about litigation abuse and Vernetta Cockerham’s story.
Finally, if you haven’t checked out sites like Mama Liberty, Rights 4 Mothers, and Angel Fury (on my blogroll), I strongly urge you to do so. There’s a VERY strong movement going on in this country to stop this bullshit. The women are forming a new political party next Monday. And, this issue is being covered at the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence’s annual convention next month.
So, you aren’t alone. A bunch of us are leveraging the Internet to bring the same information and resources to mothers that the fathers’ “rights” assholes are bringing to abusive fathers. We’re kicking ass and taking names.
In closing, you may find resources available to you if your local prosecutor’s office has a domestic violence unit. Hopefully, your local shelter is one that is up to speed on PAS.
Good luck and God bless,
Anne Caroline
I live in the same county as Vernetta Cockerham did when she went through her ordeal, if that tells you anything! If there is anything I can do, if there is anyone who wants to know what we have been through, anyone who wants to use my case as an example to show how things can go so wrong for the children, please don’t hesitate to contact me! I agree that it is time for change, someone needs to stand behind these mothers who try and protect these children. I seem to be the only one strong enough to stand against my abuser! I would love to help in any way that I can, for anyone who needs it. Our children are our tomorrow and if they are raised by abusers…..
Debbie,
The biggest problem with where you live is that the dumb shits running the NC Coalition fired RitaAnita Linger. She was the ONLY domestic violence advocate in the whole country who was worth a damn. And, those redneck monsters fired her. I’m pissed as hell about it because she helped so many people ~ including me. I’d be dead by now but for RitaAnita.
Quite frankly, I think you should raise hell with the Coalition. I can guarantee you that you wouldn’t be in your current circumstances if she was still at the Coalition.
If you know Vernetta, I would strongly urge you to connect with her. Nobody in the whole country that I know about ~ except women with a whole lot of money and power on their own ~ has prevailed like she did. Yes, she went through holy hell. But, she’s done better than most. . .including me. Why? RitaAnita Linger was there for her. As soon as RitaAnita heard about Vernetta’s case, she was on the phone around the country looking for a solution. We packed the courtroom, and Vernetta’s case got settled.
The American Women’s Political Party is starting today. I encourage you to join ~ visit Mama Liberty’s web site ~ she’s the ring leader.
It’s going to be up to you, Debbie. Sadly, now that RitaAnita is no longer with the Coalition there are no formal organizations ~ just other women walking in your shoes ~ getting together ~ saying “ENOUGH ALREADY!”
Sadly, Yadkin County doesn’t have a monopoly on clueless judges. But, Mama Liberty and her gang got a clueless twit in CA kicked off the bench. Since you live near Vernetta, I strongly encourage you to do what she did ~ pack the courtroom with people wearing purple and white.
If your judges are in the remedial group (slow learners), y’all are just going to have to be persistent and patient. Keep packing those courtrooms until they get their heads out of their asses.
I used to work for a man who said even a mule will back up if you hit him between the eyes with a brick often enough. Well, yours truly had to do this and get out the cast iron skillet and the baseball bat and light a whole fireworks display under people’s asses out here in WA State before they moved. It took a whole lot of energy and tears and me writing a blog post naming names to get them off their butts. But, they FINALLY did. . .last week.
Yes, it shouldn’t be this way. But, it is. And, it is going to stay this way until EACH of us starts raising holy hell. . .like in the movie Network. . .we need to open our windows and scream at the universe, “I’m mad as hell, and I’m not going to take it anymore.” And, we need to mean it.
Seriously, connect up with Vernetta. She’s amazing.
Sending hugs and good wishes,
Anne Caroline
Here is my latest, spoke with the social worker in Wake Cty., she is investigating the third allegation that my abuser has made against me. She stated that typical the psychologist will have a session with child and each parent seperately.
Unfortunaetly my abuser has taken a protection order out against me on behalf of our child. So I will not be given that right.
ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME!!!!!!!!!!
So I have sent my atty. an email asking him to file an emergency motion in Court tomorrow specifically asking the Judge to grant me this right. To allow me to attend one of these sessions. Afterall The psychologist herself said that it would be helpful for her to see me and the child together. I will let you know what happens. Quite frankly if the Judge denies me this right I think it would make for a nice case of a denial of CIVIL RIGHTS!! When I go to Court I will say who is to blame for the abuse my child is suffering. I am so ready to stand up and SHOUT!!!!
I have run this private group for almost a decade and have about 44 moms from coast to coast going through the immoral abuse in probate court of losing their children to their abusers. I went through it about 10 yrs. ago. I got my child back, while her big brother waited it out with me through 4 yrs of court against a father’s rights attorney. Lost all my money fighting, but we got her back a few years ago, now she is 18 and still at home with me. Her big brother is up the street with my 2 tiny grandchildren. Times have changed for us, but what we got put through will always leave us saddened and angry. Anyone wanting to join our group, anyone in need of help, just send me an email robinw_01854@yahoogroups.com
Robin,
Thanks for visiting and leaving a comment. I’m sorry for the anguish you experienced and applaud how you have turned this experience into something positive for those walking in your shoes today. As you know, this is a terrifying place for mothers to be ~ the meaningful help comes from other mothers.
Do you have a web site or blog address??? I’m trying to think how I can provide my visitors with a permanent link to you. Also, would you be interested in writing a guest column to get the word out on your group?
Respectfully,
Anne Caroline