Although The Secrets Underneath is a work of fiction, once I understood the nature of the story, I researched the interplay between trauma and memory so I could understand how it would affect my characters.
I already had personal knowledge about domestic violence because my parents both grew up in violent homes and I observed the scars that left in them. I also became a community educator for the Alternatives to Domestic Violence program in Bergen County, New Jersey teaching high school students how to identify the problem and find help, and speaking at communtiy forums. Luckily, my parents broke the pattern and I have had a long, loving marriage.
Below are some of the books I used for trauma research plus other suggested reading. Following that are resources to learn more about trauma and domestic violence.
Books Used in Research for this Story and Suggested Reading
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel Van Der Kolk, MD
Healing Trauma: A Pioneering Program for Restoring the Wisdom of Your Body by Peter A. Levine, PhD
Trauma and Memory: Brain and Body in Search for the Living Past: A Practical Guide for Understanding and Working with Traumatic Memory by Peter A. Levine, PhD with a forward by Bessell Van Der Kolk, MD
Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma by Peter A. Levine, PhD
In an Unspoken Voice: How the Body Releases Trauma and Restores Goodness by Peter A. Levine, PhD
Trauma Through a Child’s Eyes: Awakening the Ordinary Miracle of Healing by Peter A. Levine, PhD and Maggie Klein
It Didn’t Start with You: How Inherited Family Trauma Shapes Who We Are and How to End the Cycle by Mark Wolynn
Childhood Disrupted: How Your Biography Becomes Your Biology, and How You Can Heal by Donna Jackson Nakazawa
Molecules of Emotion by Candace B. Pert, Ph.D
Other Trauma Resources
Bessell Van Der Kolk’s website and resources
https://www.besselvanderkolk.com/The Trauma Therapist Project a resource for therapists
Domestic Violence Resources
National Coaltion Against Domestic Violence
National Domestic Violence Hotline
RAINN is the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization providing information, services, advocacy, and consulting for sexual assault prevention and victim/survivor response programs for adults and children.
It provides victim/survivor services; education programs; public policy consulting and advocacy working closely with departments of justice, education, and health and human services on national and local levels; and offers consulting and training programs for business, educational institutions, and government through myriad programs and services.
Helping Survivors is a curated online informational and educational resource for victims of sexual abuse, assault, and/or harassment. It provides information through articles and videos, and connections for legal help and mental health resources for issues surrounding sexual violence in the workplace, at schools and universities, in medical institutions, religious institutions, ride shares, and more.
Whether the assault happened to a child, adolescent, or adult, the curated information provides a the starting point necessary to understand a victim’s rights and options as they seek justice, accountability, and healing.
For domestic violence help in Idaho contact: Idaho Coalition Against Sexual & Domestic Violence https://idahocoalition.org/
For domestic violence help in Oregon contact: Oregon Domestic Violence Resources: https://www.dvrc-or.org/
For domestic violence help in Washington state contact the Washington State Coaltion Against Domestic Violence.
Spokane County has the highest incidence of domestic violence in Washington state, and the city of Spokane has the highest rate in the county. In October 2020, a coalition of concerned leaders launched the End the Violence campaign. For more help contact the Spokane Regional Domestic Violence Coalition or the Spokane Cares community resource website for the variety of resources available or call the Spokane Regional Domestic Violence team at 509-447-2829
YWCA of Spokane’s Alternatives to Domestic Violence has many resources, including a 24-hour domestic violence helpline: 509-326-CALL (2255)
Domestic Violence Is a Men’s Issue Too, according to Jackson Katz, PhD, founder of the Mentors in Violence Prevention program and TED speaker below
For domestic violence help in Oregon contact: Oregon Domestic Violence Resources: https://www.dvrc-or.org/