Survivor Stories (pt. 9)
TW: Sexual violence
Every survivor has their own story, yet not every survivor feels heard. For a multitude of reasons, survivors fear speaking out. And even if they do speak out, that doesn’t mean someone will listen… or believe them.
From the start of my work with PAVE, I emphasized my desire to highlight survivor stories. I desired to create a space for survivors to share their voices, one that perseveres even after my time at PAVE.
The pieces below were submitted by survivors, some requesting to remain anonymous. Thank you to these survivors for your strength and vulnerability. We hear you. We believe you. We support you.
Compiled by Jessica Katz
Untitled by Erica
I never thought I would be here. Alive and devoting my life to advocacy. There were moments growing up, when life was all too much and I tried everything to escape. I was sexually abused from the age of 3 to 13. Brokenness was my normal. Guilt, shame, fear, anger captivated my every thought. I finally disclosed to my mom and this lead to my first counseling experience at a nonprofit in Oklahoma. I reluctantly got out of the car and met the therapist that would help me gather up the pieces of myself and create something beautiful. Four years later, I graduated the counseling program and began volunteering with new girls who needed the same empowerment as I do. My life was changed. I’ve been singing since I was a little girl, but somewhere along the way, I stopped believing in myself. The grace of God lifted me up and dusted me off. I found love and my voice. I began singing for the non profit events and sharing my own music with the girls receiving therapy treatment. Today, I am now a Sexual Assault Response Advocate, Worship Leader, and Songwriter. I find purpose in every ounce of pain I have experienced. If a mirror is broken, it still serves its purpose. I never lost my purpose, I was lead to a way to place pieces together to form a story of healing. Of survival.
