Audiences say…
 
“Shannon Moroney presents very difficult and complex material in an engaging and articulate way that is emotionally impactful for the audience. Her story and artwork bring to the surface many of the stereotypes we tend to have, and challenge the dichotomies we create between ‘offender’ and ‘victim’. Hers was a victim perspective that I had not heard before.”
-Mark Yantzi, M.A.Sc, Executive Director of Community Justice Initiatives and former City Councillor, Kitchener, ON
 
 
 

"Shannon Moroney’s open recount of her trauma experience takes us into the complex journey of a person affected by crime, allowing us to reconsider our own perspectives on victims, their needs and their expectations.  More importantly, Shannon’s story is a story of hope.  Her courage to transcend the trauma and reconstruct the meaning of her life through the healing power of compassion and love that also embraces the offender, offers a tangible hope to all people affected by crime, their families, their communities.  It is a transforming story—a story to listen to."
-Marinetta Cannito Hjort, International Restorative Justice trainer/consultant; and Chaplain, American University, Washington, DC. 

Shannon's talk was moving, inspiring and an absolute eye opener. I have had personal experiences with the justice system in a variety of ways, and I thought I had a good understanding of Restorative Justice. This presentation left me questioning so much of what I thought I knew, and gave me so much to ponder and consider. I think it will leave me a better person, like all of those who were privileged enough to be there too. 
- Brenda Quenneville, Youth Justice Committee, Canadian Mental Health Association, New Liskeard, ON
The following are quotes from inmates at San Bruno County Jail in San Francisco, California, taken from letters to Shannon following her presentation to them in January 2009. These men have all been convicted of violent crime and are participants in an award-winning restorative justice program called R.S.V.P.—Resolve to Stop the Violence Program. For more information and to view a short video on this program, which has reduced the rate of violent recidivism for its participants by 80%, please visit RSVP

“I wish I could hear Shannon’s story every day, because it helped me to understand what I do to others! It also gave me strength to stop being violent and make a daily change. Shannon helped me understand and feel the true impact of my violence…her disclosure helped me like she said, ‘put the broken pieces of glass together’…I found some of myself in her! Instead of asking WHY, I am going to look for answers to solve and stop my evil ways and violence. Like in Shannon’s art, I am going to swim like salmon upstream believing life has better things to offer…walk through the fears and anger within, looking at myself through mirrors no matter how hard it gets.”
-V.T.

“Listening to Shannon’s disclosure brought up a lot for me. I never really thought about the impact of my violence on my family…I see now what my violence does not only to my direct victims but to my family as well.”
-P.W.

“Hearing Shannon’s story was a reality check for me…I can now see where I hurt my wife and picture her on the phone with friends trying to get help to deal with issues that are unbelievable…I sat in my chair and cried on some of the things Shannon was saying. By her story that cut through bone and soul, I will no longer be selfish but will practice love and respect toward others. I want to thank Shannon and I wish that she will continue to heal and share her story all over the world.” 
 -I.B.

“What Shannon shared was very powerful for me as a person. I was with her all the way through, but what she said that I needed to hear for my own growth was about being disconnected. Disconnection is an excuse not to feel. It’s a stereotypical defense mechanism. Shannon gave me insight. I know that from now on in my life, in order to begin my real healing process, I need to stay connected.”
                                                           -R.M.

Shannon tells her story and shows her artwork at the first International Congress on Restorative Justice Oaxaca, Mexico, September 2008.
Conference title: "Restorative Justice: Humanizing the Penal Process"
“Shannon Moroney is an excellent presenter and educator on the topics of trauma, healing and redemption.  Her artwork and storytelling provide a powerful presentation on her experiences as a victim of serious crime and how restorative justice played an important role in her own healing process. Her work will prove to be transformative for professionals in both the conventional and restorative justice fields.”
-Jessalyn Nash, M.A., Adjunct Professor, Criminal Justice, Sonoma State University

“Listening to Shannon tell her story in my university class, I found it honest, eye opening, tear jerking, soulful and much more. I had a hard time getting through the class for many reasons, but I'm so glad that I was able to push through it because the message I received was one of hope and inspiration. I am a victim of sexual assault and date rape, and I have just begun my road to recovery. I consider Shannon to be a strong and brave role model for healing. Hearing about her experience and how she has coped helps me continue to move forward. I continue to struggle with the notion of forgiveness and listening to Shannon describe her forgiveness process helped me to consider forgiveness as I take each step to move forward on my own journey.  
-A., Student, University of Waterloo