Shattering Silence: A Story of Survival, Justice and The Power of Telling the Truth (Amazon; April 2, 2026) is Darlene Lekowski's unflinching account of the lasting impact of childhood sibling sexual trauma and abuse (SSTA). With raw honesty, she reveals how trauma extends far beyond the body, shaping every corner of a survivor's life.
CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 2, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Shattering Silence: A Story of Survival, Justice, and The Power of Telling the Truth By Darlene Lekowski with Jess Greenwood
Unlike traditional memoirs that simply recount past trauma, Shattering Silence unfolds as a deeply personal and chronological journey that follows Darlene from childhood into adulthood—revealing not only what happened, but how decades of silence shaped her relationships, choices, and sense of self.
The story begins with a seemingly idyllic childhood before shifting at age seven, when abuse by her two oldest brothers fractures her world. From there, the memoir moves forward through her life—college, career, marriage, and motherhood—while exposing the invisible weight of carrying a secret for fifty years.
This memoir is not a catalog of abuse. It is a story of survival, adaptation, and the long shadow trauma casts over a lifetime. The narrative builds to a pivotal breaking point when the past resurfaces publicly—leading to a high-stakes legal battle that forces Darlene to confront her trauma in court. When one of her brothers files a civil lawsuit in an attempt to silence her again, Darlene faces a defining choice: retreat back into silence or finally speak the truth—fully and publicly. She chooses truth—and fights back.
What unfolds is more than a personal story—it is a real-time collision between past trauma and present-day consequences, ultimately tested in a courtroom.
Her victory becomes more than legal vindication. It becomes a powerful message: your voice matters, and the truth is worth fighting for.
"Shattering Silence embodies the heart of what we believe at Soul Speak Press," said Jessica Buchanan, Founder at Soul Speak Press. "Darlene's willingness to speak her truth not only honors her own healing but creates space for others to find their voice as well."
Published by Soul Speak Press, a boutique publishing company dedicated to amplifying the stories of women who have been through something, now know something, and can teach us something, Shattering Silence continues the press's mission of transforming lived experiences into meaningful impact.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Darlene Lekowski is a speaker, author, business leader, and most importantly, a survivor who transformed her decades of pain into purpose, hope, and healing—for herself and others. After fifty years of silence about the sibling sexual trauma and abuse (SSTA) she endured as a child, she found her voice and courageously stood for truth—ultimately winning the civil lawsuit brought against her by her own brother.
Through her lived experience—and shaped by her long-standing career in banking and sales—Darlene inspires audiences to reclaim their voice, their purpose, and their power. She partners with SSTA and sexual assault organizations worldwide and speaks at leadership conferences, survivor events, and corporate gatherings about resilience, justice, and the freedom of speaking your truth.
Darlene lives in the Charlotte, NC area with her husband, Tom, and is the proud mother of three adult children.
www.darlene-lekowski.com Instagram Facebook LinkedIn
Media Contact
Darlene Lekowski, D.L. Won Enterprises, LLC, 1 7045919255, [email protected], darlene-lekowski.com
SOURCE Darlene Lekowski
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