Safe Space
A True Story of Faith, Betrayal, and the Power of the Force
by Nicholas Harrison

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Nicholas was nine years old when he accidentally walked into a movie theatre playing Star Wars: A New Hope. It was 1977, and he unknowingly had just stumbled upon the thing that he would later credit in saving his life. From kindergarten through grade four, Nicholas endured horrific abuse at the hands of the Catholic priests who were entrusted with his education. As he grew up, he blamed himself for what had been done to him. His childhood had been stolen from him, and he had no way to cope. Star Wars gave Nicholas hope at the time he needed it most. His path to healing has been long and often dark, but that band of Rebels he met in his childhood proved to him that light could ultimately triumph. In this shocking, heartbreaking, yet forever hopeful memoir, Nicholas takes readers with him on his journey from victim, to survivor, to Jedi. Safe Space: A True Story of Faith, Betrayal, and the Power of the Force is for anyone who wants to understand how abuse continues to affect victims and their families long after the act. Follow him online: @therealnicktheguy and nicholasjharrison.com

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Simultaneously heartbreaking and hopeful, Safe Space: A True Story of Faith, Betrayal and the Power of theForce serves as a reminder of how vital it is that we all care for our communities and treat others with kindness, dignity and respect. It also speaks to the great importance of continuing to move forward on the pathto reconciliation in this country and confront parts of our history that, all too often, lack recognition. — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Safe Space is a story filled with triumphant contradictions: Sadness and joy, darkness and light, tragedyand hope. Nic was silenced for decades, but with a strength that few find, he is silent no longer, speakingnot only for himself but for those who remain voiceless. Nic’s search for a hero to protect him revealsthe hero that was that was inside him all along. — Michelle Stilwell, Paralympic Champion & Past MLA Parksville Qualicum 2013-2020 Nic Harrison paints with delicate brush strokes a very relatable tale for anyone of our generation whogrew up with Star Wars … It is a narrative of the rites of passage all humans can relate to. — Albin Johnson, founder 501st Legion Lacerating and inspirational, Nic Harrison’s narrative of his abuse and recovery is filled with moments of terrorand joy. The wonder is not that he survived, but that he survived with such love, equanimity, and imagination. Hecredits Star Wars but I credit him: Jedi, luminous being. Read this book and feel the Force. — Jerry Wasserman, Professor Emeritus of English & Theatre, UBC Nic’s book is an absolute miracle. Not many survive taking on the dark side, but Nic not only survived but he personally lightsabers Darth freaggin Vader. This book is courage,and its wisdom needs to be passed on. — Johnathon Schaech, Actor/Activist A harrowing tale of intergalactic survival. Nicholas Harrisonhas the Force. — Alan Cumming

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Nicholas Harrison is a writer, actor, director, swordsman, fight director, playwright, and educator. As a professional actor and stunt performer in film and television, he has appeared in many popular films and series such as Scooby-Doo 2, Supernatural, Stargate, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, and the popular Air Bud franchise; his autobiographical play, How Star Wars Saved My Life, premiered in 2017. Nicholas studied at the London Academy of Performing Arts, holds both a master’s degree from the University of Victoria and a PhD from the University of British Columbia, and is currently an instructor at Capilano University. He resides on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the Tsawwassen and Musqueam Peoples.

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Contributors

Author

Nicholas Harrison

Editor

Collette Berg

Illustrator

Pia Guerra

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Other eBook Editions

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