Get Involved
Share Your Story Update Story Read Stories About Our WaveResources
Resources Survivor Q & AMedium
Narrative
Artwork
I was...
Home
at Someone Else’s Home
at Work
in School / University
in a Bar / Restaurant
in the Military
at a Social Event
Traveling
Other
The person who harmed me was a...
Stranger
Acquaintance
Non-Romantic Friend
Casual / First Date
Romantic Partner
Family Member
Authority Figure
I identify as...
Asian
Black / African
Hispanic / Latino / Spanish
American Indian / Alaska Native
Two or More Races
Native Hawaiian / Other Pacific Islander
White
My sexual orientation is...
LGBTQ+
Straight
Lesbian / Gay
Bisexual
Pansexual
Queer
I identify as...
A Man
A Woman
Transgender
Non-binary
Gender-fluid
I was...
a Child
a Teenager
a Young Adult
an Adult
a Senior
When this occurred I also experienced...
Physical harm
Emotional abuse
Financial abuse
Human trafficking
On this page are stories shared by survivors that highlight hope but can also be hard to read. A grounding activity can help you to feel calm and make it easier to read these stories. Do you want to try one of our grounding activities?
You are not alone. It can happen to anyone. It was done to you and there is no shame in that. You had no choice, you had no control and you had to survive however that looked like.
Trust your body.
You've got big reason to feel disconnected from you right now
But your body always has your best interests in mind đź’–
Someone was unkind to you in a way you never deserved
Please offer yourself extra love, kindness, and tenderness as you heal
Healing is sharing a story so personal, that you have only shared it once with a handful of people. Only to realize that they will listen, but not help you heal from the trauma. It takes a community of survivors.
Together, we are creating a safer world for woman to thrive.
I think that without hope, we have nothing. It gives us the strength to persevere through difficult times. We can do this, I know we can.
I was raped several times in college by my then-boyfriend. I was incredibly in love with him, and it was my first relationship. I remember thinking maybe what was happening was "normal" because I had never dated before and didn't know any better. It caused me to spiral deep into alcohol use and I ended up being hospitalized several times as a result. He would always get angry at me for bringing up that I wanted to report him or seek help, and kept telling me if I sought help, he'd be raped in prison and we'd never have a future together. He wo...
We are worthy of love and support !!! Keep your head up and moving forward. The future is yours to make!!
Healing is me slowly but surely putting this behind me. Me taking it one day at a time.
Healing for me is using this to empower others to come forward and face the people that hurt them. Because I wish I had the same courage to tell someone and seek help then. A whole lifetime ago.
You are loved and it is not your fault, it will never be your fault. I am proud of you for making it this far
Dear reader, the following story contains language of self-harm that some may find triggering or discomforting.
I never thought I would get over the first rape I experienced. I was in bed crying, depressed and so often would breakdown during sex with other partners. It felt like the only thing on my mind and I couldn't be present otherwise. But with therapy and time I am in such a better place and have learnt so much and I love my life. You'll get through this.
It is not your fault, it's not what you are wearing, what you said, what you did, it is not your fault. You are an amazing person and the only person at fault for what happened to you is them. <3
Hello, I'm going to be sharing my stories because these moments haunt me more than anything.
1, He was my long-distance/online boyfriend, i was 13 and he was 16 (already a red flag). we decided to meet up, he came to my state and I had to sneak him in when my parents were at work and his parents stayed in a nearby hotel. I was so happy that I finally got to see my boyfriend then he started asking if i wanted to have sex with him and I said "no, im not ready" and he said "okay lets just cuddle then." I cuddled with him on my bed and she was gri...
The 1960's 1970's etcetera was a long time ago so tell your story as Law Enforcement could learn and protect kids much better. Maybe someday I will have an identity besides victim: Case Number
I hope everyone can take something away from my story, anything, survivor or not.
It’s important to be there for people and always have their best interest in mind. You never know what people are going through and that is something I always consider. Keep an eye on your friends, family and strangers, we are all human.
I was 7 when it started. It started with him inserting/grinding his genitalia between my thighs while I was playing. This would escalate to him asking me to give him a head. This went on for years and I don't remember when it ended. I haven't even told my parents about this yet. My whole family trusted him so much. He ow living a successful life while I am still plagued by the memories every day. What sins have I committed to deserve this?
I am a survivor of child on child sexual abuse. this started when I was around 6, I would have sleepovers at my grandparents house with my cousin, we would often stay in the living room while our grandparents were in their room. We would have blankets and pillows set up in front of the tv, i remember the first time it happened i felt really weird, she was only a year older than me but she pulled the blanket over us and she asked if i wanted to play a game, i said yes and she grabbed my hand and pulled it into her pants and on her private p...
you are not alone. you do not need to feel ashamed. this is not your fault. coping looks different for everyone, you can talk as much or as little about your experience as you feel comfortable with. something i wish i had heard earlier in my healing process is just because you didnt report it or recognize what was happening in the moment does not make it any less valid or real. you will get through this đź’—
Dont define yourself but what happened to you or the bad that took advantage of you. That is a reflection of what they are, not what you are.
Dear reader, the following story contains language of self-harm that some may find triggering or discomforting.
It’s a shame to be you.
So wrapped up in you.
Clinging to your innocence.
But I know it’s untrue.
I know you!
Your mother-raised a rapist.
Wish I could say it to her face.
“Your son- is a disgrace.”
“You’ve never felt pressure, sweetheart.”
That’s what you’d say
when you are in dark, look for the light! no matter what the circustances are, work for what you want to acheive in your life. dont give a fuck about what is happening around or whatever people are talking about you because if you care you will ruin yourself.
Your going to heal, time heals you. Tell your family, it took me two years to tell mine and yes it hurt me and then but he was in the wrong. It’s not your fault, use it as a strength in your life, it gets better I promise dont give up x
I’m name, When I was just ten years old my mom would remove my clothes then sexually assault me.it didn’t matter how much I cried as she did it. She only cared about what turned her on. :’( I’ve been quiet about it because she’s a principal at a school, but I am sick of protecting her. I now use my victim stories to promote my onlyfans.
Experiencing sexual harassment in the workplace was shit. I was a single parent. I was informed by my employer that I couldnt quit the job without being able to prove I was experiencing sexual harassment. With my employer, if you leave a job without good reason, they can refuse to pay. I had a daughter to take care of, and responsibilities. By that point, my power was already being put out, and light gone.
I know, if this has happened to you in any way. It will linger on your mind, it'll hurt just to hear the name of the one/s who hurt you. But just know what they did was not okay, but you will become okay eventually. The fact you've gotten this far is amazing, you are powerful and strong. Do what you need to do to heal and feel better, not what others tell you, you need to do. Your healing journey will look different to others, and that's okay, but just don't shy away from support.
When i was sa i was forced by my abuser to stop in my hope en believe. the abuser told me that the faith does this. but actually the faith does not does this the people around us does this. but god sees this. and i also believe god helped me alot because when the abuser hurted me he always got right after hurting me karma. so i never stoped with hoping and believing in my believe. and 3 years that i got rid of my abuser i finally see the things I hoped came out. Even if it takes years at the end believe me everything is going to be perfect. Be...
If you were assaulted just always remember that it was not your fault. It is not your fault. Tell your self that he is garbage and you are strong and you will be okay. I got pepper spray and I go to self defense classes annually to. This may help you too.
Hi, I'm Name, and this is my story.
If I was to go back to 8 years old me and tell her everything that was waiting for her in the future. She wouldn’t believe you… She wouldn’t be able to understand how something so objectively wrong could happen to someone so sweet and innocent like herself. Growing up I have realised that a lot of shit happens to a lot of people. It’s life, and we are put here to experience life, but that doesn’t mean we should be silent about the bad things that we go through. Change starts with one person at a time…
Yes their is hope out their for sexual assault survivors men n women never give up n never surrender even though u feel all is lost n theres no hope
Dear reader, the following story contains language of self-harm that some may find triggering or discomforting.
What’s the next thing you’re looking forward to? It could be as simple at a sunrise.
I haven’t been able to talk about my story because I feel invalid, because it wasn’t of an older person, because we were both children, because we were the same age, because “it was just a crush”. A boy in my primary school used to like me for a few years (Year 2-Year 5) and I didn’t feel the same way. I’ll admit, in year two, I liked the attention, I liked having the nice compliments “Your hair looks really pretty today”, “Your eyes are so green I really like them!”. But from me, it wasn’t a crush, I didn’t have interest in him. One day in ye...
Dear reader, the following story contains language of self-harm that some may find triggering or discomforting.
I am not sure I am able to answer this question, I am not sure how much I have actually healed. I feel like I have been able to put my past behind me, but part of that meant just not thinking about it. I would like to be able to think about the things that happened to me and use them for something good, that feels like healing to me.
For me, this is a big step. Being able to say what my brother did and sharing my story. I have had a hard time expressing myself because I swore I would take this to the grave. But to heal I need to let it out somewhere. Even though I will never confront him nor tell anyone who knows me the person who did this. I feel proud to get it out anonymously.
If anything like this has ever happened you, just know it is real SA. It doesn't matter how old the other person was, they invaded and took over the one thing nobody should ever take from you. Your body is the most important thing you have. Nobody is allowed to touch it without you being 100% sure you want it. It wasn't your fault. You are not alone.
12 years since the first time and 3 years since the last. I know in comparison to others my story seems simple and not hard to get over. But it’s been confusing. Weighing on my chest daily. Every waking moment I think about it and question myself. Is it really that bad? Am i being dramatic? Did I like it? I’ve never told anyone about this. Not my parents, not my fiancé, no one..ever. But I need it off my chest and I need to know people can relate. My childhood best friend and me were always together. Every-weekend; We did everything tog...
Your message helps survivors to feel heard, believed, and supported. You can send as many messages as you would like, and you can always view the impact you have helped make on the community page.
Updates, events, and ways to help out. Directly to your inbox.
Our Wave is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and an anonymous service. For additional resources, visit the RAINN website or the It’s On Us campaign. If this is an emergency, please contact your local emergency service.