Male Survivor Speaks Out
by Ashley Brown
Our VOICE, Inc. will host an encore viewing of the Oprah show’s “Male Survivors Stand Together,” which highlights the experiences of male survivors of sexual abuse.
The free event, entitled “In His Own Words: Male Survivors Speak Out,” will take place on Thursday, April 28, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Fine Arts Theater in downtown Asheville. Following the screening, the audience is invited to participate in a discussion of the topic with Asheville resident Scott Lamb, who appears in the show.
Says Lamb, “Sharing my story helps to lessen the shame. The more that I use the sexual abuse as a way to help others, the more I move beyond myself and beyond my own pain.” Lamb’s presentation seeks to engage the community in conversation about male sexual abuse in order to diminish the stigma associated with male sexual violence and increase support for male survivors and their loved ones.
Attendees are invited to join Our VOICE staff in the Fine Arts
Theater’s Critics Lounge following the viewing for informal discussion
and appetizers.
The event is one among many Our VOICE has planned during April, which is national Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Our VOICE, Inc. is Buncombe County’s sexual assault crisis and
prevention center. In the pursuit of a community that is free of sexual
violence, Our VOICE serves all individuals in Buncombe County affected
by sexual assault and abuse, through counseling, advocacy and education.
Barbara Anderson, Our VOICE’s Executive Director says, “Providing
a space for men to speak openly about childhood sexual abuse is
essential for our community to find ways to support them in their
healing. Thanks to the courage of Scott Lamb and his efforts, we are
able to partner with him in bringing this taboo secret to light.” Our
VOICE will also begin Connections, a weekly male survivor support group.
For more information on this or other Sexual Assault Awareness Month
events, please visit www.ourvoicenc.org, call the office at (828)
252-0562 or send e-mail to Ashley Brown, Our VOICE’s social work intern,
at [email protected].
