‘Domestic Violence is Learned and Begins in the Home. Child Abuse.’

By Patricia (Patty) Ouska

I have been incarcerated for 32 years. I have a natural life sentence without parole. I am a mother and grandmother of two. My daughters’ names are Alexis and Tiesha. I am Tlingit Indian. An Alaskan native. I was born in Chicago.

My two children do not understand my life or what brought me to prison. My prayer is for them to forgive me and know that I love them. This piece of art has brought me to tears. It’s healing. The materials I used are paint, glue, ribbon, glitter strips, paper cut outs from a magazine, ink pen, typewriter, and my story.

I want to lay a foundation for a new narrative, hopefully one that pushes the right buttons. By creating this piece, I am shining a light on what others need to do. I understand that this depiction seems unreal, not possible that this could happen. When I was a child I spoke about my abuse and was told I was a liar. But my story has always remained the same. It almost feels like an impossible mission. It’s not easy for me to open up and talk about something that was a traumatic experience, even to people who may be involved in some way and are protective of themselves. It can’t be a secret forever … And the more I talk, the more it’s likely that the truth will come out.

There is still no justice.