The Power of Sharing Story: Recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month
By Technical Writer Uinita Mauigoa and Family Wellness Warriors
“Come home and give those kids a life.”
These were the words from Family Wellness Warriors Director Bobbi Outten’s father that saved her. Outten had been married for 11 years when she left her husband for the seventh and final time. She ran with just a few personal belongings, her three young children, and one on the way. Outten shared she felt desperate and credits her parents, pastor, and a caring network of people for supporting her to find the strength to leave a home laced with addiction, chaos, control, and violence. Because she found a safe community, Outten never turned back.
Sharing story with safe people in safe spaces can be powerful and healing.
“Something that is so key when having the courage to speak up is finding a safe place with safe people, people who are going to respond in ways that are supportive, accepting, and nonjudgmental,” FWW Community Engagement Advisor Polly Andrews shared.
After finding the inner courage to share her story, Outten found her safe place and people, and it changed her life and the lives of her children. Today, her children are grown and committed to providing safe homes through foster care, breaking cycles, and changing the end of the story for themselves and many others.
Outten is happily remarried, and when she is not being a grandma or working on her farm, she leads FWW, a program with a goal of returning to the strengths of Alaska Native and American Indian culture to build healing relationships, community connection, and resiliency to trauma. For Outten, this work will always be personal, a part of her own healing and hope.
Everyone has a story behind their eyes and deserves to be heard with dignity and respect. FWW offers learning circles and training intensives throughout the year that provide safe spaces for people to share their stories and heal from the effects of trauma. Participants explore healthier ways of relating in a culturally connected, safe, and peer-led space.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence and need immediate help, here are some resources:
- 24-hour Abused Women’s Aid In Crisis hotline at (907) 272-0100
- Standing Together Against Rape at 907-276-7279
- StrongHearts Native Helpline at 1-844-7NATIVE
FWW hosted a Domestic Violence Awareness Observance and Walk Oct. 18 in the Anchorage Native Primary Care Center lobby to increase awareness and highlight resources To learn more the services FWW provides, please contact (907) 729-5440 or click here.
