Anderson Brings Personal Stories
To Drake University Campus

By Caroline Pakenham
CyberNews Staff Reporter

As part of Women's History Month, photographer and author Vera Anderson shared her personal experiences with domestic violence last night at Drake University's Bulldog Theatre.

Anderson told students and citizens of the Des Moines community that "an act of love not financial gain" inspired her to write the book, "A Woman Like You." The book featured photos and poignant stories of 34 battered women.

Many of Anderson's stories came from battered women at a California jail. For an entire year, Anderson volunteered at the jail before she was allowed to interview the battered inmates.

Some of the inmates had murdered their husbands in retaliation for excessive verbal, mental and physical abuse they endured. She described the women's actions as a "desperation factor."

"They were so beat down they had a reaction," Anderson said.

Interviewing the inmates reminded Anderson of the mental and verbal abuse she suffered during the marriage to her former husband. She described her memories of the abuse as "a secret nightmare sucking the lifeblook out of me."

With each battered woman Anderson met, she said she discovered a pattern. "Every woman I talked to said she never talked to anyone about the abuse," Anderson said.

Anderson noticed another frightening reality while working on her book. "There seem to be so many smart, savvy, college girls willing to put up with so many types of abuse," Anderson said.

Because domestic violence is such a real life problem across the nation and among young college women, Anderson urged the audience to take action.

"None of us should allow our friends to go through it or allow our friends to do it," Anderson said. "Open your mouth and take a chance."

If one believes a friend to be involved in an abusive relationship, Anderson said, "jealousy, power and control, and insecurity issues" tend to be common characteristics of the abuser.

Before Anderson concluded the program, she shared her hope for all women.

"I want all of you to grow up as safe women who never have to experience any kind of abuse," Anderson said.