Hannah Stutzman

Hannah Stutzman is the title character in Hannah's Healing, the third book in the Free Spirits series; she is also mentioned in the seventh book, Jeretta's Judgment.
== Description ==
Hannah has the least detailed physical description of major characters to date. Hannah's Healing mentions her having "honey-colored hair," originally in a long braid tied into a bun, then later cut to a page-boy style. She is initially very withdrawn, and averse to physical contact. Over time, she learns to be more open, relaxed, and able to deal with her fears.
== Early life ==
Hannah grew up in an Amish household, and was subjected to bullying and abuse by her five brothers, especially the oldest Joosef. Starting at eight, Joosef began sexually assaulting her, encouraging Samuel and other brothers to join in. Hannah tried to get her parents and church leaders to intervene, but they would simply require her brothers to confess, repent, and "never speak of this again." During rumspringa, Hannah stayed in Philadelphia with the older sister of a friend and her boyfriend, who was an atheist; she also talked with the Leader of the Ethical Humanist Society. When she turned eighteen, she refused to be baptized, and considered herself an atheist. Moving to Stallbrook and taking a job with a cleaning service, Hannah would deal with her sexual feelings with pornography and masturbation.
== Hannah's Healing ==
After Hannah is caught watching her roommate having sex, the police negotiate having her remanded to the custody of Lateshia Williams, a clinical psychologist and Free Spirit Celebrant. Lateshia provides counseling sessions, in consort with sensate focus touch therapy guided by Bridget Torjesen, while Hannah stays with the polyamorous triad of Peri Winger, Lila Jaworski and Andrew Hamady; the triad also consents to her watching their lovemaking and masturbating, as a safe sexual outlet for her. Hannah also learns more about the Free Spirits from the triad and others, even attending Sunday Celebrations at Local Gatherings and helping with setup for a Regional Conference meeting and an outreach booth. Over time, Hannah grows more self-assured, and builds a relationship with Melinda, a visiting friend of Lila. By the end of the book, Hannah is able to share hugs with her friends, and moves to Indianapolis to live with Melinda.
== Jeretta's Judgment ==
Hannah's partner Melinda participates in an arbiter training workshop in Cleveland, where she mentions that Hannah has become involved in consent education, motivated by her own past experience.Category:Characters
Category:Free Spirits