Reunion Online

If I could have cleansed myself from those negative emotions, I would have done so long ago.

Today I hope that you will indulge me and allow me to speak from my heart on a very personal subject, the passing of our dear, dear friend Heidi Sommer.

It was middle school. I was playing a game in my head, scrambling letters of words to make other words. I thought of “grape” and all the words I could make using it: ape, pea, are, rap, peg. “What about rape?” I thought to myself. "Is that a word?" I asked my friend’s mom, my ride home that day, and her face immediately turned red. She said to never use it again. It was a “bad word.”

How do we use the lessons of trauma-informed care to help the people who commit those violent acts—often men who themselves were physically, sexually and/or emotionally abused or neglected—stop, be accountable and live safe, satisfying lives?

This Valentine’s Day, we ask you to start this conversation about domestic violence and healthy relationships in whatever way you can.

May the force grant you the courage to change the things you can. You will be amazed.

Patti Giggans's book signing at Peace Over Violence, It's Time To Talk Day with Olympian Jordyn Wieber, actor Morris Chestnut and our partners, our ENDTHEBACKLOG campaign highlighted on CNN, Minnesota says NO MORE, and more!

The healing quality of “playfulness” lies, not in the particular activity you do, but in what you bring to whatever activity you do, whether it’s work, leisure or restoring a healthy life.