Survivors find strength in sharing their stories at Safe Voices event
October 8, 2025
Oct. 8, 2025 | See the full story at News Center Maine
AUBURN, Maine — According to the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence, one in four women and one in seven people in Maine have experienced abuse and violence by their partner in their lifetime.
Given these complex numbers, advocates want people at risk to know it’s never too late to speak out and seek help. This message is central to October’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Survivors are being encouraged to share their stories to support others in leaving abusive situations.
Every survivor’s experience is unique, but they all share a common thread.
“No human should ever have to survive in fear of another human,” Bambi Monahan, a domestic violence survivor, said.
“My abuser is coming out of yet another prison sentence as a repeat domestic violence offender wanting revenge with nothing more to lose,” Jolene Miles, a domestic violence expert, shared.
“He had promised me that if I tried to leave with his son, I wouldn’t be alive,” Noel Richardson, a domestic violence survivor, recalled.
Monahan, Miles, and Richardson recently spoke at the Safe Voices Fall Fete and Awards Ceremony.
Safe Voices is a nonprofit that helps people escape violence in Androscoggin, Oxford, and Franklin counties. By joining the Safe Voices Survivor Storytellers group, these women are helping others by sharing their stories for the first time.
“There is absolutely profound healing that happens for survivors,” Safe Voices’ Executive Director Rebecca Austin explained. “So much of abuse is taking somebody’s voice away from them and not allowing them to talk about the reality of what they are experiencing.”
Bambi talked about growing up in an abusive home, which meant her family often had to stay in shelters. Now, she works to support others who are trying to escape abuse.
“I continue to be a cycle breaker and find the strength to be an advocate for anyone who needs it,” Bambie told the crowd.
Jolene says she contacted Safe Voices over 10 years ago. The nonprofit helped her leave her abusive marriage and find safety and support for herself and her children.
“Every battle, every step, every failure—my advocate was there,” Jolene recalled.
She also presented her longtime advocate, Julie Hausman, with the nonprofit’s Shining Star Staff Award to recognize her work with survivors.
Noel knew she had to get help after the attack that sent her to the hospital.
“Everything changed when I was assaulted with my 6-month-old son in my arms. He hit us repeatedly, knocking us to the floor,” Noel said, holding back tears.
She says a Safe Voices advocate supported her when she got a protection-from-abuse order and started to rebuild her life. With help from support groups and other services, Noelle finished high school and is now an honors student at Central Maine Community College.
“All it took was for that one advocate to believe in me,” Noel declared.
Stories that were once silenced are now helping these survivors find their own way and encourage others to break free and speak up.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, you can call the Maine Domestic Violence Statewide Hotline at 1-866-834-HELP.
Are you a survivor of domestic abuse or trafficking who is interested in learning about the Survivor Storytellers group? You can sign up for our Storytellers mailing list here to stay up to date on meetings, topics, writing prompts, and more.