Oklahoma incarcerates more women than almost any other state. Under its punishing, under-the-radar “failure to protect” law, mothers — even those who are victims of domestic violence — can be sent to prison because of their supposed failure to keep their children out of harm’s way. In this devastating read, Samantha Michaels tells the story […]
child abuse
Posted inEditor's Pick
‘I couldn’t deal with it, it tore me apart’: surviving child sexual abuse
Tom Yarwood was assaulted by his musical mentor, an unnamed celebrated conductor, more than 20 times over the course of three years. Thirty years later, telling the story hasn’t become any easier.
Posted inBooks, Nonfiction, Profiles & Interviews, Science & Nature, Story
Pam Houston on Coming Clean, Climate Change, and ‘Writing Deeply Into the Grasses’
Pam Houston’s new memoir is an ode to her beloved ranch, but also deals directly with the harrowing moments of childhood abuse that her fictional characters have been living through for years.
Posted inEditor's Pick
We Saw Nuns Kill Children: The Ghosts of St. Joseph’s Catholic Orphanage
A wide-ranging piece of investigative journalism — the result of four years of research — on widespread abuse and in some cases, the killing of children at St. Joseph’s Catholic Orphanage in Vermont and other orphanages, in the 20th century.
Posted inEssays & Criticism, Featured, Highlight, Nonfiction, Quotes
The Slow Regard of a Difficult Past
“In my family, love was the slow accumulation of moments in which I was not subjected to great harm.”
Posted inEssays & Criticism, Feature, Featured, Nonfiction, Story
Wrestling With My Father
Brian Gresko considers the lingering consequences when the only touches between father and son are abusive ones.
Posted inEditor's Pick
A Tiny Scar, From Falling
A personal essay in which Lara B. Sharp’s efforts to gather information about what happened to her in foster care and as a ward of the state turn up nothing but incorrect records.
Posted inEditor's Pick, Essays & Criticism, Featured, Nonfiction, Unapologetic Women
A Tiny Scar, From Falling
Lara B. Sharp’s efforts to gather information about what happened to her in foster care and as a ward of the state turn up nothing but incorrect records.
Posted inEssays & Criticism, Featured, Nonfiction, Story, Unapologetic Women
A Tiny Scar, From Falling
Lara B. Sharp’s efforts to gather information about what happened to her in foster care and as a ward of the state turn up nothing but incorrect records.
Posted inEditor's Pick
Writing the Monsignor
A personal Essay in which young adult author Mary O’Connell reflects on her early writing endeavors, with a local priest’s scandals and her own questioning of faith as her “material.”