I AM THE PRODUCT OF RAPE: A MEMOIR by Catherine Wyatt-Morley & Jalyon Welsh-Cole, Memoir, 194 pp., $15.95 (paperback)
Title: I AM THE PRODUCT OF RAPE – A MEMOIR
Authors: Catherine Wyatt-Morley and Jalyon Welsh-Cole
Publisher: Four Pillars Media Group
Pages: 194
Genre: Memoir
The phrase “secrets and lies” takes on terrible new meaning in Catherine Wyatt-Morley’s devastating book, I AM THE PRODUCT OF RAPE – A MEMOIR.
Wyatt-Morley’s shocking story traces the repeated patterns of rape
and incest that plagued four generations of her family, including
Wyatt-Morley’s birth in a filthy basement to her 12-year-old mother, who
was sexually abused by her step-father.
“…In the process of writing this book, an extremely difficult journey
that has taken years, I was taken to unfamiliar destinations and
exposed to unfathomable pain,” Wyatt-Morley relates. “Part of that pain
was learning that I was created through the atrocities of incest by a
brutally manipulative monster and, while only moments old, (I was)
denied by a heartless grandmother who never bothered to look at me.”
Wyatt-Morley wrote I AM THE PRODUCT OF RAPE – A MEMOIR, she
says, “as my way of dealing with my personal healing. But through
conversations with many diverse women, I quickly began seeing I was not
alone. So many had never told anyone of the abuse that has happened to
them; yet they have a need to heal, to not feel isolated.”
Wyatt-Morley’s daughter, Jalyon Welsh-Cole, also suffered the
terrible legacy of her family when she was abused by her eldest brother.
She wrote the epilogue to I AM THE PRODUCT OF RAPE – A MEMOIR, an essay she called BURNING HOUSE, in response to the continued pattern of abuse that formed her familial legacy.
“Most of my family members who have learned of this are dealing with
it as well as one can,” Welsh-Cole says. “However, others are still in
disbelief and struggle to understand. For over two decades I kept this
heinous secret to myself. I have had time to bury it, cry over it, and
finally seek therapy and come to grips with it.”
Welsh-Cole’s mother’s story “made me feel as if our bloodline was
full of secrets and lies that I wanted to expose,” she continues. “I
knew after learning of my grandmother’s story that I wasn’t alone.
Today, I cannot allow this to continue to happen in our family.”
As dark and unrelenting as it is, the story told in I AM THE PRODUCT OF RAPE – A MEMOIR leads to a conclusion of overcoming tremendous odds, leaving readers riveted, inspired, and empowered.
Wyatt-Morley’s shocking story traces the repeated patterns of rape
and incest that plagued four generations of her family, including
Wyatt-Morley’s birth in a filthy basement to her 12-year-old mother, who
was sexually abused by her step-father.
“…In the process of writing this book, an extremely difficult journey
that has taken years, I was taken to unfamiliar destinations and
exposed to unfathomable pain,” Wyatt-Morley relates. “Part of that pain
was learning that I was created through the atrocities of incest by a
brutally manipulative monster and, while only moments old, (I was)
denied by a heartless grandmother who never bothered to look at me.”
Wyatt-Morley wrote I AM THE PRODUCT OF RAPE – A MEMOIR, she
says, “as my way of dealing with my personal healing. But through
conversations with many diverse women, I quickly began seeing I was not
alone. So many had never told anyone of the abuse that has happened to
them; yet they have a need to heal, to not feel isolated.”
Wyatt-Morley’s daughter, Jalyon Welsh-Cole, also suffered the
terrible legacy of her family when she was abused by her eldest brother.
She wrote the epilogue to I AM THE PRODUCT OF RAPE – A MEMOIR, an essay she called BURNING HOUSE, in response to the continued pattern of abuse that formed her familial legacy.
“Most of my family members who have learned of this are dealing with
it as well as one can,” Welsh-Cole says. “However, others are still in
disbelief and struggle to understand. For over two decades I kept this
heinous secret to myself. I have had time to bury it, cry over it, and
finally seek therapy and come to grips with it.”
Welsh-Cole’s mother’s story “made me feel as if our bloodline was
full of secrets and lies that I wanted to expose,” she continues. “I
knew after learning of my grandmother’s story that I wasn’t alone.
Today, I cannot allow this to continue to happen in our family.”
As dark and unrelenting as it is, the story told in I AM THE PRODUCT OF RAPE – A MEMOIR leads to a conclusion of overcoming tremendous odds, leaving readers riveted, inspired, and empowered.
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Excerpt:
A ferocious human predator ripped through our
family, drooling over the innocent―leaving none untouched. Generations of child
predators have devoured their vulnerable offspring and siblings, molesting our
family’s youth unconcerned about the magnitude of their actions. Silence has
become the gateway to mental health issues throughout our lineage. I Am the Product of Rape―A Memoir
exposes generational secrets, lies, cover-ups and denial and their
consequences. Told from my perspective, this is my family story, a glimpse into
four women irreversibly scarred by traumatic abuse.
family, drooling over the innocent―leaving none untouched. Generations of child
predators have devoured their vulnerable offspring and siblings, molesting our
family’s youth unconcerned about the magnitude of their actions. Silence has
become the gateway to mental health issues throughout our lineage. I Am the Product of Rape―A Memoir
exposes generational secrets, lies, cover-ups and denial and their
consequences. Told from my perspective, this is my family story, a glimpse into
four women irreversibly scarred by traumatic abuse.
The
family matriarch, my grandmother, a prolific mother of ten, sets the tone for
all of us women who would place our feet in the footprints of her journey. Her
decisions transform her ancestry for generations to come. Refusing her child
love, protection, safety and happiness for material wealth is significant to
her legacy. Her story sheds light on the transgressions she not only allowed
but participated in.
family matriarch, my grandmother, a prolific mother of ten, sets the tone for
all of us women who would place our feet in the footprints of her journey. Her
decisions transform her ancestry for generations to come. Refusing her child
love, protection, safety and happiness for material wealth is significant to
her legacy. Her story sheds light on the transgressions she not only allowed
but participated in.
Next,
there is the vulnerable, shy girl who endured the death of her childhood at the
hands of her stepfather. Incest, abuse, betrayal, humiliation, and rape
inhumanly tore through her seven year old body. Well before puberty she was
sexually exploited in her own home, her childhood, mind and body all repeatedly
violated. While her mother, my grandmother, lived in denial of the events
taking place in their home, this innocent child was consistently, savagely
tormented by her stepfather who exercised power and control over her. To
survive she separated her two worlds, disconnecting from the brutality she
incessantly endured. Inevitable, at twelve years old that vulnerable, shy girl
gave birth a child. She gave birth to me!
there is the vulnerable, shy girl who endured the death of her childhood at the
hands of her stepfather. Incest, abuse, betrayal, humiliation, and rape
inhumanly tore through her seven year old body. Well before puberty she was
sexually exploited in her own home, her childhood, mind and body all repeatedly
violated. While her mother, my grandmother, lived in denial of the events
taking place in their home, this innocent child was consistently, savagely
tormented by her stepfather who exercised power and control over her. To
survive she separated her two worlds, disconnecting from the brutality she
incessantly endured. Inevitable, at twelve years old that vulnerable, shy girl
gave birth a child. She gave birth to me!
Then,
there is me, born on a filthy basement floor to a twelve year old. I Am the
Product of Rape. I am an adoptee, I am a daughter, and I am a mother of
three. In search of my future, I found the weighted baggage of the past.
Catholic Social Services documents helped to chronicle my life, as did the many
conversations I have had over the years with sometimes very reluctant people―relatives,
social workers, and paper pushers, all of whom seemed to guard my past as it
floundered aimlessly, leaving lingering, unanswered questions. Through the
process of connecting with my past much was revealed. I came to learn that from
my first breath I was discarded, unwanted, unloved and homeless. My journey
through foster homes the adoption system, and the intense emotional peaks and
valleys concluded with me being adopted becoming the fourth member of a middle
class Catholic family. The mother of the
family had love enough for one of her children and I was not that child.
there is me, born on a filthy basement floor to a twelve year old. I Am the
Product of Rape. I am an adoptee, I am a daughter, and I am a mother of
three. In search of my future, I found the weighted baggage of the past.
Catholic Social Services documents helped to chronicle my life, as did the many
conversations I have had over the years with sometimes very reluctant people―relatives,
social workers, and paper pushers, all of whom seemed to guard my past as it
floundered aimlessly, leaving lingering, unanswered questions. Through the
process of connecting with my past much was revealed. I came to learn that from
my first breath I was discarded, unwanted, unloved and homeless. My journey
through foster homes the adoption system, and the intense emotional peaks and
valleys concluded with me being adopted becoming the fourth member of a middle
class Catholic family. The mother of the
family had love enough for one of her children and I was not that child.
Finally,
along this sexual-abuse sojourn, I unfortunately discovered my daughter's
devastating experience. Crushing my very core, this revelation sent my life
careening in another unexpected direction, straight through my children's lives
into a fourth-generation nightmare. The ripple effects of demoralizing incest,
the sexual slavery of serial rape, and the brutality of molestation go beyond
their impact on the direct victims, transmitting a trauma that oozes
intergenerationally. This story intertwines the DNA of my family's bloodline.
along this sexual-abuse sojourn, I unfortunately discovered my daughter's
devastating experience. Crushing my very core, this revelation sent my life
careening in another unexpected direction, straight through my children's lives
into a fourth-generation nightmare. The ripple effects of demoralizing incest,
the sexual slavery of serial rape, and the brutality of molestation go beyond
their impact on the direct victims, transmitting a trauma that oozes
intergenerationally. This story intertwines the DNA of my family's bloodline.
In conclusion, I Am the Product of Rape―A
Memoir initiates family table talks that have kept incest secrets silent
for generations. Our goals are to make I Am the Product of Rape ―A Memoir
and our other materials available to everyone, have I Am the Product of Rape
―A Memoir translated into the worlds languages and make I Am the Product
of Rape ―A Memoir and our other materials part of the global platform for
eliminating disparities. My daughter and I conclude by saying you are not
alone.
Memoir initiates family table talks that have kept incest secrets silent
for generations. Our goals are to make I Am the Product of Rape ―A Memoir
and our other materials available to everyone, have I Am the Product of Rape
―A Memoir translated into the worlds languages and make I Am the Product
of Rape ―A Memoir and our other materials part of the global platform for
eliminating disparities. My daughter and I conclude by saying you are not
alone.
Catherine Wyatt-Morley is the founder, chief executive officer and heartbeat of Women On Maintaining Education and Nutrition,
a 501(c)(3) nonprofit social service organization for the at-risk and
HIV-positive community. In 1994, Wyatt-Morley founded Women On Reasons
To Heal (W.O.R.T.H.), the first and what has become the oldest
HIV-positive women’s support group in Middle Tennessee.
Wyatt-Morley has appeared in countless media outlets nationwide,
including SELF Magazine, the Today Show, A&U Magazine, POZ Magazine,
CNN, Voices of America, MSNBC, Talk America Radio, FX Radio, SiriusXM
Satellite Radio, the Palm Beach Post, the Indianapolis Indiana Recorder,
the Los Angeles Times, the Canadian Sun, Nashville Scene, and the
Tennessean.
Jalyon Welsh-Cole has been director of Women On Maintaining Education and Nutrition,
a 501(c) (3) nonprofit social service organization, since 2010.
Welsh-Cole began writing when she was very young, starting with short
stories and poems. As a teen, she was inspired to draw, finding comfort
and creativity in her art. She joined forces with Wyatt-Morley to share
her story in I AM THE PRODUCT OF RAPE – A MEMOIR. Together, they also have created #HealingSecretHurts workshops, which bring the spectrum of traumatizing sexual assault into the light.
a 501(c)(3) nonprofit social service organization for the at-risk and
HIV-positive community. In 1994, Wyatt-Morley founded Women On Reasons
To Heal (W.O.R.T.H.), the first and what has become the oldest
HIV-positive women’s support group in Middle Tennessee.
Wyatt-Morley has appeared in countless media outlets nationwide,
including SELF Magazine, the Today Show, A&U Magazine, POZ Magazine,
CNN, Voices of America, MSNBC, Talk America Radio, FX Radio, SiriusXM
Satellite Radio, the Palm Beach Post, the Indianapolis Indiana Recorder,
the Los Angeles Times, the Canadian Sun, Nashville Scene, and the
Tennessean.
Jalyon Welsh-Cole has been director of Women On Maintaining Education and Nutrition,
a 501(c) (3) nonprofit social service organization, since 2010.
Welsh-Cole began writing when she was very young, starting with short
stories and poems. As a teen, she was inspired to draw, finding comfort
and creativity in her art. She joined forces with Wyatt-Morley to share
her story in I AM THE PRODUCT OF RAPE – A MEMOIR. Together, they also have created #HealingSecretHurts workshops, which bring the spectrum of traumatizing sexual assault into the light.
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Interview with Catherine Wyatt-Morley
How did you come up with name of this book?
I created the name I Am the Product of Rape―A Memoir after several chapters began to come together. The name portrays the true essence and nature of the book. As I shared the title with others, some recommended that I Am the Product of Rape―A Memoir was too harsh, and suggested I soften it a more “acceptable” title but, I felt it important that I own my truth starting with the title.
Do you read yourself and if so what is your favorite genre?
Yes I do read. I enjoy reading true stories, stories of empowerment and self-help. I enjoy reading stories that enrich my life, contribute to my life and tell me something that I can use and share with others.
Do you prefer to write in silence or with noise? Why?
I have the ability to shut out the world around me when I write. I get into what I am writing. I go to place in my mind, no matter the noise, the conversation from television, radio, people talking I can shut it all off, turn it all out and concentrate on writing.
What do you feel you can accomplish with this book?
I Am the Product of Rape―A Memoir has already accomplished many family table talks that have kept incest secrets silent for generations. It has provided some readers the courage to uncover long hidden abuse secrets within their family. I Am the Product of Rape―A Memoir has provided some readers the courage to seek mental healthcare, and other readers who are victims of sexual assault have found the bravery to report the abuse to authorities. I Am the Product of Rape―A Memoir has set the stage for adoptees to begin the process of locating their birth parents. I Am the Product of Rape―A Memoir has opened the doors of conversation in several support groups for those who have been rejected, isolated, diagnosed with HIV/AIDS bipolar or some other mental health challenge. I Am the Product of Rape―A Memoir has encouraged women to get involved in social issues.
My daughter and I can accomplish and intend for I Am the Product of Rape ―A Memoir and our other materials to be made available to everyone that needs them. We can accomplish and intend for I Am the Product of Rape ―A Memoir to be translated into the worlds languages including audiobooks and make I Am the Product of Rape ―A Memoir and our other materials a major part of the global platform for eliminating disparities.
What is your next project?
My daughter and I would like our next project to be working with major film producers in the process of transforming I Am the Product of Rape―A Memoir into a major motion picture.
Additionally, in conjunction with I Am the Product of Rape―A Memoir, my daughter and I have developed an interactive Workbook titled #HealingSecretHurts or (#HSH). I Am the Product of Rape―A Memoir, #HSH and other tools are used to conduct small to mid-size acquisition sessions which, with attendees, explores the raw subject matters exposed in I Am the Product of Rape―A Memoir. Sessions are implemented in safe, confidential, comfortable environments. Making trauma a priority, my daughter and I listen, believe, and care then encourage, empower and initiate behavior change. As authors of I Am the Product of Rape―A Memoir my daughter and I want to help others in need of healing from trauma.
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