Voices are powerful.
Collectively, they move mountains. Singularly, they can spark change, big and small. Sometimes, however, voices are silenced.
And when they are, our abusers win.
It’s hard to admit, but the voices of others once held me back. They taught me shame. They taught me sorrow. They taught me to hate who I was. But voices also pulled me out of my misery. They showed me the truth about my value. They taught me how to speak out. They showed me how to use my own voice for good—lifting others up in the process. Your voice has that power too, and I’m here to help you discover it.
My name is Randi.
I am a survivor.
I have a voice.
And, voices, they carry.
Every 68 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted. Every 9 minutes, that victim is a child. Meanwhile, only 25 out of every 1,000 perpetrators will end up in prison. (https://www.rainn.org/statistics)
I was once one of those statistics, and I’m not alone. Many of us carry secrets; unreported secrets of sexual molestation, date rape, and other instances we attempt to put in a box and ignore. Maybe you begged for help. Maybe no one listened. That’s what happened to me. My mother ignored what happened. She failed to report my rape and molestation. I didn’t get the support I desperately needed and deserved. I wanted to give up. I wanted to die.
But, I learned, there is hope.
If you are sitting on a secret that you fear will eat you alive, feeling unworthy and shameful, I want you to know that you’re not alone. You don’t have to suffer in silence. Instead, take my hand and let me help you move forward. While you find your voice again, mine is ready to serve.
You can share. You can listen. You can step up and lead. You can help spread the message that survivors of sexual assault need greater care on a national level. You can help effect change. You can join our cause. Your voice matters and we want to help you use it. When you join our community, we’ll send you a free chapter of Randi’s forthcoming book.
Finding My Voice
I sat down the summer of 2022 to process the pain of my past. What came from it was a memoir, Voices Carry, which I hope will prod survivors toward their day of reckoning.
Using My Voice
While once voiceless, I am determined to use the voice I’ve unearthed to advocate for justice, raise awareness for once silenced secrets and speak up for those who have been oppressed.
Helping Others
Together, we rise. In the Voices Carry Facebook Group, you’ll find a judgment-free zone where we listen, we support, we care and we understand. We see you and love you.
In Voices Carry, I join forces with co-author Alee Anderson to relay my harrowing story of trauma and triumph. Throughout this memoir, you’ll be inspired to pursue radical healing and unconditional self-love despite complex trauma, no matter what you’re facing. My goal is to encourage those who are victims of sexual assault to bring their aggressors to justice, no matter how long it’s been, and be a part of petitioning for legislative reform.
Voices Carry provides a call to women in every walk of life—to embrace their past, heal their pain, and hold abusers accountable for irrevocable acts. However, after a short amount of time, bringing our perpetrators into a court of law, be it civil or criminal, and winning are slim to none. It’s Randi’s opinion that the simple act of REPORTING these crimes, even decades later, can send us into a journey of self worth, value, healing and coming to terms with our past traumas.
Meet Randi
I’m Randi Radin Kalman, an author, speaker and passionate advocate for political activism and legislative change for sexual assault victims. I have written a forthcoming book, Voices Carry, to educate others on the impact of sexual assault and the existing laws—especially as they pertain to statutes of limitation. Because these decrees are determined by state policymakers, survivors are often unaware of their regional rights and how laws have been amended throughout the past decade.
My heart goes out to the marginalized females who find themselves objectified, dehumanized, and misrepresented in Western society: the traumatized daughter, the sexual abuse survivor, the addict, the sex worker, and the women working through recovery. I hope my story becomes an anthem of hope for the voiceless—encouraging her readers to reclaim their identity, take back their stories, and share them with the world.
Meet Alee
Alee Anderson cherishes stories, especially those that are poised to empower others to change their narratives. Having worked in publishing since 2005, her love for great content evolved into a passion for helping them tell theirs. Stories matter, and Alee helps ensure they do. The traumas and triumphs in her own life have made her the ultimate advocate for survivors who long to share their stories. Alee focuses on non-fiction books and proposals that sell as a co-author and critically acclaimed ghostwriter. Her clients have been published by Thomas Nelson Publishers, HarperCollins, BenBella Books, and Simon & Schuster and are represented by some of the top literary agents in the industry.
In 2021, Alee launched Hey! Young Writer—a publication and online university where aspiring writers can find representation and learn from industry experts. The platform has amassed 11K followers on Instagram and provided countless webinars on all things writing. Beyond virtual events, Hey! Young Writer has partnered with The Porch of Nashville, TN, to provide workshops to local creatives seeking collaboration and community.
Share Your Story
Every story matters, including yours. And, change only happens when we bring our stories to the light and don’t leave them hidden in the dark. We’d love to hear yours. Share your story with us anonymously and inspire others in the process. We will share it on our blog so that others can find solace, connection and strength in shared experiences.
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