Stories

67,278

Thank you for joining our We-Speak community. Together we have shared and read stories 67,278 times. Thank you for helping create a wave of change.

275

275 supporters thanked a survivor for sharing their story.

77

77 visitors found stories that made them feel hopeful.

94

94 visitors found stories and experiences they can relate to.

479

479 supporters shared a message with a survivor that they are not alone.
GROUNDING ACTIVITY
MEDIUM
FILTER

Story Filters

Welcome to We-Speak.

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?

#1258

You are not alone. ❤️

#1245

You're not broken and you are worthy of love

Name

Healing is possible. Take a deep breath for me. As cliche as it is, know that you are not alone. Your story is yours to share when you are ready, but I promise you that when you take that leap, so many people will be there to catch you.
You are so loved.

Summer before college it all changed

It will get better, it will get easier to live and actually be conscious of the life you have and the life you could have. At the start it can be difficult, you may feel alone but truly you aren’t. You may feel failed, and together we can push through that and change it into a positive in helping others speak up, requesting more changes and penalties and raising awareness

“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.”

Make consent modules mandatory in secondary school( my story )

You are not alone , there is always hope and you didn't deserve what you went through, you are loved , none of this was your fault

Imagine an Ending

What is now won't be forever

An Exploited Friendship.

Sharing and seeking help will do more good for you than you’ll see or feel for a long time. People are genuinely here to help, you’ll be surprised who has similar stories.

I still hear and feel his breathing. In my ear, number years later. He is still a Bouncer in popular City bars.

I have found huge comfort in sharing my story with other survivors. More women go through these trauma’s than you think. We’re all just scared that we’re too broken, too much. But we are not. We were violated. We lost our freedom and rights. We were forced on in the most vulnerable of places. That doesn’t go away. Still a number years on from when I was raped the first time I still struggle to talk about it. a numberyears on from being sexually assaulted and I haven’t told anyone about it. I’ve gone to the Rape Crisis Centre countl...

Women are powerful, find your voice

Healing is finding my voice. No longer being afraid to share my story and be listened too.
Holding in those feelings and thoughts, what happened to you is never the best way to heal. Find your voice and I promise you’ll be heard.

We believe in you. You are strong.

They saw me deeper, but we all know them better now.

There's always more fight left in you. Hope is your guidance. You are not alone, it's never too late and you will be believed!

We were friends.

We were friends. That is what I told him when he tried to kiss me when I was drunk. He smiled and said he understood.
We were friends. That is what I told him when I agreed to sleep off the alcohol at his as he insisted it wasn't safe for me to walk home. I felt a sense of relief and comfort when he smiled and said he understood.

Me Too Taxi Driver

It can help when others get justice.

Normalise sexual assualt

There is always light at the end of the tunnel. There is always hope as "hope is a thing with feathers." There is help out there and there is always someone willing to listen. Things always get better in the end, there is so much more to look forward to. You are not your past trauma. There is a future out there, waiting.

I never thought I had to be wary of women.

I'm trying not to judge myself and be kind to myself and to not blame myself. What would I say to a friend? I try to say that to myself.

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

AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN....IT WAS NOT

You as a Survivor are incredible. Only you know what your story is like. No body understands what it is truely like unless they have experienced it themselves. You are not alone. Other Survivors understand you better.Stay strong always and never let anyone discredit your story.

A date to always remember but never forget

Each year it crashes in like the waves beating the stand.
It brings a swirl of emotion and feelings unbeknownst to my fragile mind.
My body seises as it struggles to stay afloat.
I gasp as the sharp prickly water traps my body,
unable to move,
but only to breathe,

The title of the story is: Stare the Stalker Down

Absolutely. If my story is of help to anyone or anyone needs to share their story with me, I would be so happy if anything helps. I survived that part of my life and am working on the other parts.

#781

What happened was not your fault. You deserve to be speak and be heard.

Stalked by a professional in Ireland

Speak up and speak out about your experiences and you will be amazed at the outpouring of support you will receive. And above all, never give up.

Every step forward, no matter how small, is still a step forwards. Take all the time you need taking those steps.

Saoirse ; Freedom

You've got this! You are unbelievably strong and you are not alone!

#708

Just know that it was never your fault for what happens. You are strong and deserve to be happy in who you are.

Fearless

You have a strength in you to fight .
The best revenge is not letting him have a hold on your future.

Liberation

There is always light at the end of the tunnel - guaranteed.
Never give up.
Your victory story will help others. You have a purpose.
In my darkest days I wish someone told me this.
You are worthy.

a voice

When I was 23, after having lost my father to cancer and moving into my first home as a single parent, I was "sexually assaulted" by my uncle who was now one of my neighbours. It was what was possibly deemed a harmless move by him, a drunken misunderstanding where he accidentally but forcefully stuck his tongue in my mouth while consoling me on my loss. The weight of him pressing me into the sofa of my new home. My new place of safety.

“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.”

Survivor

Things can get better. You will never fully forget what happened to you, but you will grow around your trauma. It will never disappear, but it doesn't have to have a happy life.

#681

It’s never easy, but you learn to be okay again. Trust the process.

#682

I was sexually assaulted while living abroad for college. I did not accept what had happened to me for some months and allowed my life to spin out of control. I am doing better for myself now and picking up the pieces after having accepted the reality. But I am finding it harder and harder to process and work though the thought of memories of the incident. It feels like im taking one step forward and two steps back. Luckily I have people who I confided in but I feel like asking to talk about it is too much to ask.

Month

If you think you may have been assaulted you probably have. Take time to deal with it don’t brush it off. It is not the new normal.

Don't give up

Do not ever give up. I have got this far and u can too. The weaker and more vulnerable I feel the more God can shine His light through me and on to other people. I am 56 now but finally starting to really live my life through the power might and gentleness of my God who has saved me. I am His child. I am beautiful in His eyes. He loves me so much and sends me people who really care about me. He can save you too no matter how lost u think u are.

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.

678

It does get better. It doesn’t mean it will happen again. There is still love and joy in the world, even after it all. It just might take time to see it.

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

Safety Exit

Resources