Rape survivor honors those who helped Nagle posting her 'healing poem' in police stations around state

DOVER - A local artist, musician, poet and peace advocate wants to honor those who help vulnerable populations who have been hurt by violence and trauma by posting "healing poem" in every shelter and first responder's office by Mother's Day 2018.

Monica Nagle of Dover calls it "The Mother's Day Freedom Project."

"You can be more than a survivor. You can have your life back. You don't have to suffer," Nagle said.

In 1978, as a 20-year-old budding musician, Nagle said she got lost outside Philadelphia on her way to a gig. She was traveling with her Great Dane dog, which made her feel safe when she stopped and asked for directions.

A man, who "looked like a family man," said he could help her. But he told Nagle her dog made him feel nervous. She exited her car to show him her map. "The knife came out," she said. Nagle said she was abducted, raped and beaten for the next 18 hours before she was released, luckily still alive.

Nagle credits a friendly police officer whom she met soon after she was released. "He was so kind and compassionate," she said. It was that act of compassion that helped begin her journey of healing even though the perpetrators were never found.

Nearly 40 years later, Nagle wants to honor those who help victims of violence on a daily basis by giving a framed copy of her poem, "If you had heard my voice." The project started with the goal of having the poem hung in every police station in the state.

"I wanted to honor police because they saved my life," she said.

But it has expanded to fire and rescue personnel, those working in domestic violence and homeless shelters and drug recovery organizations, as they all help people who experience violence, Nagle said. Already, she has given her framed poem to many police and fire stations and shelters in the area.

"Every time I give one of these poems, I think about the women who didn't make it out alive," she said.

Nagle said her poem is for anyone who has survived violence, whether sexual abuse or a military person who has experienced the brutality of war. Her poem is even those who have perpetrated violence, she said.

"Obviously, the people who (raped) me were traumatized themselves. There was something wrong with them," she said. "I came to a point where I forgave these guys and let it go."

Nagle released a book of poems and art in 2016 with the same title. "The book is all about healing," she said.

It was her sister who first urged her to have her 40-line poem distributed widely and many others encouraged that idea, she said.

To help cover costs, Nagle has found people sponsor each location where the poem is hung to pay for the poem's materials and custom framing. Artist Stephen Shaw is also creating a painting for each line of the poem. Nagle has plans to sell the paintings and poem and donate a percentage of the proceeds to Steven Tyler's Janie's Fund that helps abused girls.

She hopes victims of violence will see the poem and know that "healing is truly possible," Nagle said.

To learn more or to sponsor a location, visit www.facebook.com/monicanagle1717.