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About We-Speak
What is We-Speak?
We-Speak is a secure, anonymous online platform that aims to empower survivors of sexual violence to safely tell their own stories, in their own time, in their own words. The purpose of We-Speak is to provide a platform for these stories, in all of their diversity, so people can reclaim their voice.
This space is an opportunity to anonymously write about your experience in your own words. It is for anyone who identifies as a victim, a survivor, a person who has experienced sexual violence of any kind, or for someone who is supporting another.
We hope that these stories of struggle, strength, and healing can foster a community of support, solidarity, understanding and hope. We believe that stories are powerful and can build awareness, cultivate empathy, and ultimately create change. Every story matters.
When survivors speak, we listen.
Why have we created We-Speak?
Empowerment
Empowering survivors to share their experiences safely and anonymously, perhaps for the first time. Giving space for their real lived experiences to be seen and breaking the shame of silence.
Solidarity
Allowing survivors to see that they are not alone by fostering a community of support, solidarity and hope for those who choose to post.
Awareness
Highlighting the prevalence, and impact, of sexual violence in Ireland and allowing those who do not have a lived experience to further their understanding of sexual violence, the many forms it takes and the long-lasting effects it can have.
Support
Providing survivors with trauma informed, tailored support and access to a hub of resources to promote healing.
If you have any questions, please reach out to us at info@we-consent.ie.
Please adhere to our Community Guidelines to help us keep We-Speak a safe space. All messages will be reviewed and identifying information removed before they are posted.
Grounding activity
Find a comfortable place to sit. Gently close your eyes and take a couple of deep breaths - in through your nose (count to 3), out through your mouth (count of 3). Now open your eyes and look around you. Name the following out loud:
5 – things you can see (you can look within the room and out of the window)
4 – things you can feel (what is in front of you that you can touch?)
3 – things you can hear
2 – things you can smell
1 – thing you like about yourself.
Take a deep breath to end.
From where you are sitting, look around for things that have a texture or are nice or interesting to look at.
Hold an object in your hand and bring your full focus to it. Look at where shadows fall on parts of it or maybe where there are shapes that form within the object. Feel how heavy or light it is in your hand and what the surface texture feels like under your fingers (This can also be done with a pet if you have one).
Take a deep breath to end.
Ask yourself the following questions and answer them out loud:
1. Where am I?
2. What day of the week is today?
3. What is today’s date?
4. What is the current month?
5. What is the current year?
6. How old am I?
7. What season is it?
Take a deep breath to end.
Put your right hand palm down on your left shoulder. Put your left hand palm down on your right shoulder. Choose a sentence that will strengthen you. For example: “I am powerful.” Say the sentence out loud first and pat your right hand on your left shoulder, then your left hand on your right shoulder.
Alternate the patting. Do ten pats altogether, five on each side, each time repeating your sentences aloud.
Take a deep breath to end.
Cross your arms in front of you and draw them towards your chest. With your right hand, hold your left upper arm. With your left hand, hold your right upper arm. Squeeze gently, and pull your arms inwards. Hold the squeeze for a little while, finding the right amount of squeeze for you in this moment. Hold the tension and release. Then squeeze for a little while again and release. Stay like that for a moment.
Take a deep breath to end.