When domestic violence gets discussed, it’s often in terms of impersonal statistical data, based on stigma against individual survivors, or both. For many survivors, it’s unsafe for them to speak out about the violence that someone chose to use and the impact that it’s had on them.

Survivor Voices is a text-based project that provides one way for survivors of domestic violence to share their stories publicly while preserving their confidentiality as much as possible. The goal is to provide a safe platform for survivors to write about their experiences, and in their own words, for three big reasons:

  1. So that survivors have an opportunity to share their own stories on their own terms, using their own language;

  2. So that other survivors know that they aren't alone;

  3. As a reminder to everyone that statistical data reflect real people.

Survivors of all genders, sexual orientations, ages, and other identities and lived experiences are invited to participate.

Survivor Voices:
Story Library







The copyright to any story posted here belongs to the original writer. Do not copy, reproduce, or quote any story, either in part or in its entirety, without the express written permission of the copyright holder. Doing so is also a violation of the purpose of this project, which is to allow survivors to speak their story on their own terms.


The link above will take you to a form that explains the submission guidelines and confidentiality. Your story will be added to the library below after an advocate receives it. You have the option of uploading your own graphic with your written submission, but it’s not a requirement.

Please note that the form does not automatically save your writing or selections and participating in this project can be emotionally challenging. Some folks will need a few sessions over a period of time to get their thoughts down. We encourage people to take as much time as they like drafting their story in a personal document before copying it into the submission form.

…

This Survivor Voices project was inspired by the work at Red Women Rising, an organization that provides culturally specific services to survivors who are Indigenous. Walnut Avenue is not affiliated with the California Consortium for Urban Indian Health (CCUIH) or its Red Women Rising project.