No More Silence

Let’s tell our stories…(See sample story here)

No More Silence Storytelling Project Overview

Let’s stand up and break the silence!

Let’s humanize the all-encompassing sex offender label. This label is one that our justice system, media, and society use to portray those convicted of a sexual offense as sub-human, unworthy of empathy, and incapable of change. Let’s remove the shaming and the one-size-fits-all story by allowing these men and women, and their families, to tell their stories and convey their messages of ways in which reform and advocacy are needed, both inside and out.

We want to shine a light on these truths, by sharing the stories of how this label affects them, their families, friends, and futures. Let them share the pain of knowing that their time is never fully served, and how that continued punishment affects their civil liberties and a chance for a normal family life.

Let them share their struggles, but most importantly their accomplishments, goals, hopes, and dreams for a better life. These stories will be used for advocating and appealing to those who have the power to initiate change. There is power in numbers!

Let’s stand up and break the silence!!

 Instructions for submitting a story – I have included the following:

• First name or initials only of the author
• State and/or facility
• Photographs of individuals who are 18+ ONLY, if included
• Filled in and signed release of information (ROI) form from the story author and each person in photograph/s, if included. (Download HERE)

Mail stories, photographs, and ROIs to: UV4SOR – 526 W. 14th Street, Suite 287 – Traverse City, MI  49684

Or you may email to:  contact@UV4SOR.org

TIPS FOR TELLING YOUR STORY

1. KEEP IT SHORT                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Goal: Pack a powerful punch in as few words as possible.

2. USE SPECIFIC DETAILS WHILE REMAINING COMFORTABLE WITH WHAT YOU CHOOSE TO REVEAL                                                                 Examples: Personal struggles of incarceration, how it has affected your family, friends, dreams, and hopes for the future.                                     Goal: Help your listener remember your message.

3. DON’T BE AFRAID TO BE HONEST AND EXPRESS EMOTION                                                                                                                                             Goal: Be yourself and show your humanness.

4. MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHAT YOUR MESSAGE IS                                                                                                                                                             Goal: Your listener should come away having learned 1-2 specific things about the truth within the system concerning justice, reform, education,   and what you want them to remember.

5. TELL WHAT’S AT STAKE AND WHAT HAS BEEN GAINED OR LOST BY YOU AND/OR YOUR FAMILY                                                                         Goal: Communicate urgency, emotion, and the need for solutions.

6. MAKE SURE TO END YOUR STORY WITH AN ACTION THAT YOUR LISTENER CAN TAKE                                                                                             Some ideas: Call your lawmakers, spread the word about the need for reform, sign up for email updates below, and join the UV4SOR advocacy   Facebook group.