Blending poetry, philosophy, psychology, art, and advocacy
to raise awareness, create space for new conversations, and become agents of change.
2025 © MARY SIMMERLING - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
A glimpse into my journey through therapy for PTSD.
While publication bans and nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) are touted as protective measures for victims, they can at times do more to protect perpetrators than victims. This is because they can present powerful barriers to victims’ abilities to seek justice and reclaim our stories. They not only have the effect of silencing victims, but also shielding abusers from accountability.
Human trafficking for the purposes of sexual slavery is a global public health and human rights crisis that has an enoumous and disparate impact on women and girls. The continued use of the terms "prostitutes" and "sex workers" - and our indifferent toleration of them as normative when they should in fact be shocking - systematically reinforces false narratives about these crimes, emboldens the criminals who commit them, and silences and denies the victims.
Survivors' voices can be powerful tools for social justice.
We can leverage the healing powers of the creative self to help trauma survivors heal and become agents of healing in their communities. I know this because 20 years ago, I shared a single poem that ignited a decade-long global social justice movement exploring and harnessing the transformative and healing power of art.
