Stories

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Thank you for joining our community. Together we have shared and read stories 517,375 times. Thank you for helping create a wave of change.

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1,707 supporters thanked a survivor for sharing their story.

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632 visitors found stories that made them feel hopeful.

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726 visitors found stories and experiences they can relate to.

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2,820 supporters shared a message with a survivor that they are not alone.
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Welcome to Our Wave.

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?

#1209

I must have been around 4/6 when my sister started to ask me for ‘massages’ all over her body. She is 10 years older than I am. It felt wrong at first but I remember her telling me it’s okay because it’s just skin. I don’t recall her ever touching me. She asked me for oral sex also and this was our game. But I feel so wrong looking back now because I even recall asking her to play this game just one more time. So is this my fault? It’s never been something I’ve let affect me however the last few years I’ve thought about this more. I am 21(F) n...

I don’t know if my abuse counts, or I just want it to not count.

I still don’t know if my abuse counts. I’m pretty sure it doesn’t. Or maybe that’s what I want to think. When I was 10, I was at my (at the time) best friend’s birthday party. I can’t remember much of the party itself, only that I had a white cardigan on. I remember the air smelled likes churros and popcorn. I can’t remember how I got to my friend’s bedroom. I only remember what happened there. The memory starts with me, standing in front of the bed. On the bed was Name, one of my friend’s older brothers. I remember staring at him for I do...

My Healing Journey

I have never shared the dark secrets of my past. Something, not sure what, is compelling me to put them down in writing. At the age of 15, I started having unwanted sexual encounters. The first experience, many would find somewhat harmless. First you should know, I always preferred hanging out with boys growing up. I went to a friend’s house one weekend, and there were only guy friends there. They all went in a room, and I was left in the living room alone. They then shouted my name asking me to join them. When I entered the room, they were wa...

I will get there, I’m just not there yet

Waking up and going to sleep knowing I am safe and at peace in my own home.

“Healing is different for everyone, but for me it is listening to myself...I make sure to take some time out of each week to put me first and practice self-care.”

The Bus Ride Home

Don't be afraid to tell somebody, even if you're being threatened. It only makes things worse and none of it was your fault.

#1210

Healing is believing in good again.

Name

Nothing or no one is ever hopeless, please never give up or give in

Imagine an Ending

What is now won't be forever

Name / Title is “Freedom is Glorious”

Hope is keeping the faith for a better day, knowing the advocates will help you every step of your Freedom Journey.

“To anyone facing something similar, you are not alone. You are worth so much and are loved by so many. You are so much stronger than you realize.”

I'm still discovering who I am

I believe you need hope to live. Without hope what do we have? To me hope is yearning for something better. Without hope my existence is pain.

Name's story

Your not in this alone don’t let it affect me talk to someone who u can trust

Vanessa Violette Vicario

Welcome to Florida.

My name is Name I am a lifelonglocation 1and relocated to location 2 3 years ago. I never thought in my most horrific Nightmares that I would have a devastating story like this to tell. But now I do and this is my location 2 life. Welcome to location 2. The land of delusion.

Name's story of strength battling the beast

I have hope for you. Give yourself grace . Healing has NO TIME limit. You take the time you need . Feel the pain just don't stay there. Give yourself lots of grace and credit. You are HERE, you are STRONG, you are BEAUTIFUL, and you GOT THIS ! 💜🫶

“It’s always okay to reach out for help”

This is why August is my least favorite month

I don't know. For ten years I locked my experience as far away in my mind as possible. Then I found a book with vacation photos from one of those vacations, and I had a dream. I want to heal, and I have come far, but I don't know if it is possible.

Survivor - I am worthy!

I was gaslighted to believe I wasn't worthy of anything better that him. Well I can tell you now, I know that was completely wrong!!!! I AM WORTHY!! I have found that peace and not walking on eggshells and in fear everyday IS HOPE.

I was sexually assaulted and harassed in various ways, but COCSA was the worst one.

Healing is possible for everyone. You might not forget, but you can still live a life worth living, a life that you love.

#1190

To my fellow survivor,
I am a 9 year survivor of sexual assault. I am proud to be sharing my story, and hoping my words can provide comfort and courage.
Something that was very important to me was reporting my rapist. Fear takes over our body, and we feel numb. I wanted to cocoon myself in a blanket and stay there forever. The thought of contacting law enforcement was terrifying.

The weight of his threat.

It was never your fault.

“You are not broken; you are not disgusting or unworthy; you are not unlovable; you are wonderful, strong, and worthy.”

#1187

Loving yourself will come, and when it does, it will open doors you didn't even know were there.

healing after 20 years of not being able to speak for myself

Don't wait, speak your truth now. You are not the one committing a crime if you report the abuse someone has caused. YOU ARE THE VICTIM. Speak your truth, waiting is only going to keep hurting yourself.

#1185

The Power of Hope: My Journey Through Adversity
I believe in hope. It is the beacon that has kept me alive throughout the darkest chapters of my life. My journey has been riddled with pain, but it is also marked by resilience and the unwavering belief that healing is possible.

#1184

Name

Hope. I hope nobody has to go through the hell I did for 8 months. I hope you are believed. And I hope that one day, I can be in a crowded room, with many people I don't know, and not have a panic attack.

Taking ‘time for yourself’ does not always mean spending the day at the spa. Mental health may also mean it is ok to set boundaries, to recognize your emotions, to prioritize sleep, to find peace in being still. I hope you take time for yourself today, in the way you need it most.

My Path from Pain to Purpose - name

To my fellow survivor,
I want you to know that your silence doesn’t have to define your story any longer. For so long, I, too, carried the weight of secrets and pain, believing that silence would protect me from the shame, the memories, and the fear. But here’s what I’ve learned: silence only allows the wounds to deepen. Speaking up—sharing your truth—is the first step toward healing.

Out from the Ashes

Give yourself grace and be patient with the process. There isn't a deadline on healing. To be honest, you may never get over the pain and trauma, but each day you choose to fight and live is another day you get to celebrate.

Hope’s Story

Healing is knowing that you are worthy, lovable, forgivable, valuable, smart, capable, funny, wanted, needed, strong, & so much more. It’s knowing that all the messes are now testimonies. It’s knowing you survived everything that tried to break you. It’s knowing that you should never give up. Always let your light shine and be yourself. Your people are going to love you for you so you don’t have to change anything about yourself.

Dear reader, the following story contains language of self-harm that some may find triggering or discomforting.

#1167

minha vo me trata mal.
a minha vo sempre preferiu a minha prima mais nova sendo q eu e ela sempre conversavamos sobre ela (obs:minha prima tem 7 e eu 11 n sei pq to aq kk) continuando ela semprefica falando q eu deixo ela na mao sendo q ssempre q eu choro ela fica toca carinhosa cmg dps ela finge q nada aconteceu, esses dias eu tava chorando por causa do meu vo por causa q ele ta mt mt doente mais ele ja ta fazendo traramento, ent ela veio ate a mim me abraçar e deixou minha prima de lado e eu e a minha prima sempre conversamos sobre essas coi...

#1180

Healing mean that one day I’ll be able to share my story with others and not feel guilt for speaking up about my experiences because they don’t define me. I will be a stronger and wiser person, and with that I can help others heal too.

“I really hope sharing my story will help others in one way or another and I can certainly say that it will help me be more open with my story.”

A New Me

Your pain is valid. Your experience was real. You are deserving of compassion. Just because there’s not a conviction that doesn’t negate the egregious wrong done against you.

Safety Exit

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