Timothy Ackerman Inspires Through Stories That Shine a Light on Domestic Violence and Resilience

A Champion Against Domestic Abuse

Timothy Ackerman discusses his inspiration behind writing about domestic violence, shaping Detective Jessica Warren, the challenges of storytelling, and the vital message of educating against violence and strengthening laws.

Timothy (Thomas) Ackerman is a name that resonates with courage, empathy, and a fierce dedication to giving voice to the voiceless. An author whose works confront some of society’s darkest shadows, Timothy has used his pen to shed light on the harrowing realities of domestic violence and abuse. His novels, The Safehouse and The Safehouse II: Justice For Jessie, not only weave gripping narratives but also serve as powerful commentaries on an issue that remains alarmingly prevalent in our world. With a unique ability to balance themes of justice, personal struggle, and moral complexity, Timothy crafts stories that both challenge and inspire.

It is no surprise that his rich storytelling is steeped in genuine emotion. Having witnessed the devastating effects of domestic abuse in his own family, Timothy writes with a poignancy that only lived experience can bring. His protagonist, Detective Jessica Warren, is a compelling testament to resilience and justice—a character who not only reflects the struggles of survivors but also pays homage to their strength and determination. Through her eyes, Timothy masterfully explores the complexities of law enforcement intertwined with personal pain, offering readers narratives that are as thought-provoking as they are emotionally impactful.

In this exclusive interview, Timothy shares the driving forces behind his works, the challenges of authentically portraying victims and survivors, and the profound messages he hopes readers take away from his novels. A lifelong learner and a storyteller with a mission, Timothy Ackerman is more than an author; he is a champion for change and awareness in a world that desperately needs it. It is with great admiration that we welcome you to this intimate conversation with an award-winning writer whose words have the power to educate, heal, and galvanise.

“Timothy Ackerman, award-winning author and advocate, whose powerful novels shed light on the fight against domestic violence.“

What inspired you to write about domestic violence and abuse in your novels?

Every so often in the news I would watch or read about reports of domestic violence. In 2011 as I was researching articles of domestic violence, I found that a woman became a victim of domestic violence in the United States every 9 seconds. That’s when I wrote The Safehouse. As I was preparing to write The Safehouse II Justice For Jessie, I found out that a woman became a victim every 3 seconds. An alarming increase. 

How do you develop the character of Detective Jessica Warren and her journey?

I take a woman police detective who has been a victim of domestic violence and survived and tell the story of cases she has been assigned to and what it took for her to help the victims. Each case is different and each case requires different means to help the abused woman.

What challenges did you face while writing The Safehouse II Justice For Jessie?

I had to make sure that the domestic violence cases that Jessie and the other honest police personnel that worked with her didn’t use tactics that were worse than what the abuser’s did. Yet with Jessie’s  daughter Samantha being kidnapped, the police would have to do whatever was necessary to get her back.

How do you balance the themes of justice and personal struggle in your storytelling?

The police can’t always solve cases without the lives of the detectives being challenged in one way or another. Many times, perpetrators get away with their crimes even though the police do a thorough job of investigating. At times a detective has to decide if the evidence should be presented as it was found, knowing that the criminal will walk even though he is guilty, or should fabricated evidence be presented that guarantees a suspect being found guilty.

What message do you hope readers take away from The Safehouse II Justice For Jessie?

The message I hope readers take away from The Safehouse II Justice For Jessie is that domestic violence case should not be solved by extreme violent measures although sometimes in order to protect one’s children and the woman has no alternative, what has to be done, must be done. The main message is that people must be educated at an early age that violence is no solution to solving problems. The laws also must be strengthened to deter domestic violence.

Are there any real-life events or experiences that influenced the plot of your books?

My mother was a victim of domestic abuse, although it was usually mental abuse. There were times however when she was physically abused by my father. It was at those times I wished he would leave and never return. He was an alcoholic and most never brought home a paycheck. My wife was also a victim of domestic violence during her first marriage. She got divorced early on in her marriage to save herself and her daughter from a terrible life of abuse.