https://www.crowdrise.com/victimsofgregorysherl/

“In January 2014, three women came forward to reveal their experiences of abuse at the hands of poet Gregory Sherl. At that time, Sherl was the subject of a fundraiser seeking $10,000 from the public so that he might “reclaim his life” from OCD. While there is no doubt that Sherl is in need of professional psychological help for many ailments related and unrelated to his OCD, to present himself as a victim without recognition of his history of abusing women is an injustice to the women he has victimized.

It is our sincerest hope to begin to right the wrongs of the domestic violence committed by Sherl by spreading awareness of the prevalence of violence against women in the U.S. and by honoring his victims by seeing the success of this fundraiser. Sherl was able to collect more than $4,000 in charitable funds by exploiting his own standing in the literary community and the good hearts of so many people who were unaware of his history of abuse. Now that the truth has come to light, we hope to raise at least $5,000 to send the message that mental illness of any kind is never an excuse for abusive behavior.

All funds received will be donated to HOPE HOUSE (http://hope4dv.org/#/welcome), an organization that aids women and children in rebuilding their lives after escaping situations of domestic violence. It is a solemn note to remember that the abuse committed by Sherl is in no way an isolated incident. Every year, more than 5 million women are victimized by their partners, and 1 in 4 women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime. Many do not survive.

Please join us in our efforts to declare abuse of any kind unacceptable. Your donation will help victims nationwide reclaim their lives from the horrors inflicted upon them by men like Gregory Sherl. Let’s let no victim go silent any longer.

Thank you.”