Grace Shining

Behind the Artwork

Rose in lock on storage container door

The young woman divulged details about her perpetrators. Tragic stories. One man was a community leader. An authority figure in her life. Another was a family member. The sexual abuse lasted for more than a decade during her childhood.

At The Scarlet Cord installation, this young woman quietly approached me and asked for a scarlet cord bracelet. As I tied on the bracelet, she burst into tears. More of her story spilled out. We embraced.

“The shame and the guilt of your sexual abuse,” I said, “belongs to your perpetrators. The individuals who committed the sexual crimes against you.” Our eyes locked; she never even blinked. “The shame and the guilt doesn’t belong to you.”

She cried again.

One of her perpetrators told her that she had invited the abuse by being seductive. “His accusations are part of the abuse,” I said. “Children don’t solicit sexual abuse; children are the victims.”

I gave her one of the “Healing” necklaces that my friend designed. As part of The Scarlet Cord outreach, a friend purchased the beautiful “Healing” necklaces and added a tiny scarlet bead to each one. The young woman tearfully clasped the necklace to her heart. “This gift will be cherished forever.”

The Scarlet Cord at Acton Institute

General

The Scarlet Cord coming to Acton InstituteThis unique event will offer insight into the world of human trafficking, while offering hope and ideas for action. Elise Hilton, author of A Vulnerable World: The High Price of Human Trafficking will speak about trafficking on global and local levels. Artist Pamela Alderman, whose work The Scarlet Cord will be on display, will discuss her experience of depicting human trafficking.

Details:

  • When – Wednesday, April 29, 2015, 7:00 pm • Doors open at 6:30
  • Where – Mark Murray Auditorium • Acton Institute • Grand Rapids
  • Cost – Regular Admission: $20 • Students: $10
  • Additional Information – RSVP by April 22 • Get more details at acton.org

Sexual Trauma Sutured Hope

From the Heart

Hope charms on scarlet cord nacklace

“The same scarlet cord that tethers the children to their pimps can be used to suture their wounds,” said a young student when The Scarlet Cord was on exhibit during the Super Bowl in Phoenix. The student’s insightful words amazed me. Both visitors and supporters weave life and healing into The Scarlet Cord installation as our lives interface.

Several months ago, I emailed that I wanted to give some tangible gift to specific visitors to encourage them when they shared their painful stories. Although we already give out a scarlet cord bracelet, I wanted something special for the wounded souls who share heart-wrenching stories. Something small, but beautiful, to communicate love and hope.

One of my friends responded to the challenge and spent the day shopping for the perfect gift. She phoned several times, excitedly describing little gems she was finding. By the end of the day, she purchased a dozen carefully selected necklaces with “Hope” pewter charms. This woman spent the day crisscrossing the city to look for very special gifts. Her enthusiasm and sacrifice touched me.

While exhibiting The Scarlet Cord at Women’s Expo, I brought the necklaces, anticipating an opportunity to encourage someone among the 19,000 visitors.

On Saturday, a woman shared that an 11-year-old girl from her daughter’s school came to her house crying because her father had been sexually abusing her. Although the father is now incarcerated, the woman is still involved in helping the child to recover from the abuse.

The child is terrified to be alone with any man—even good men; she struggles with major trust issues. So the woman has chosen to keep a close eye on the girl and rearrange her schedule to accommodate the child’s needs.

After listening to the story of this girl, I gave the woman one of the beautiful “Hope” necklaces. I asked the woman to give it to the girl and tell her that we love her and that we will pray for her. I shared how my friend had donated the necklace to remind the little girl that there is hope for her future and that people care about her.

The student’s words are powerfully true: “The same scarlet cord that tethers the children to their pimps can be used to suture their wounds.” Through the listening and sharing of stories, raw emotional wounds, that in some cases have festered for years, are finally stitched together and given a chance to heal. In these precious moments, “Hope and Healing” are experienced and lives are transformed.

Coming Soon

The Scarlet Cord at Acton Institute on April 29, 2015

Past Exhibitions

ArtPrize 2014 partnering with Women At Risk, International
North Central Michigan College
Roosevelt Row Art District partnering with StreetLightUSA
West Michigan Women’s Expo partnering with Kohler Expos
Cornerstone University