Dear Survivor Project

You are so strong. I admire the resilience and courage that you carry. I hope that you are encouraged to know that you there are so many people rooting for you here in this world. We are on your team. I want you to achieve nothing but happiness in this life because you deserve all of that and more. You are so important. You are so loved. It takes a special kind of person to endure all that you have. Be proud of this because it surely wasn’t easy. In your journey to healing, I hope that you can keep building the best version of you and that you are able to love yourself as much as we all do. You have made it so far, your strength to fight the good fight is more powerful than you might know. Always remember to remain open, keep sharing your story. You will be able to create so many fruitful connections that will only help you and your journey. I am happy that you kept pushing and you never chose to give up. You’re going to make a difference in this world, I believe in you. Stay safe and take care.

Best Regards,

Who are we to judge? We are no one to judge, we are all the same and going through this terrible experience does not make you less of a person. If you need someone to talk to, remember there is always someone ready to hear you. There is someone ready to give you a hand, you are not alone here. Sometimes you might feel like it is the end of the world, or even think that disappearing is the only option there is, but you are wrong. That is not the only option, do not ever think about that remember there is always someone that cares about you and that is willing to do anything to help you. There are so many places that are there for you. There is no need to be ashamed, just remember you will get through this, so keep your head up and show those who have harmed you that you are a strong person. They will not see you defeated, no one deserves to see you down, do it for you to get back up and pursue your goals and have a bright future. Remember we are all here for you.

I am here to say you are doing a fine job. Know that you are not alone, and there are people that are more than willing to hear you out. Anything in your way is just another trial you can handle, it will be fine. As long as you try your best, you will always reach your goal.

I am so deeply sorry for the pain you are experiencing. I know my words cannot heal the tremendous suffering that comes from this, and nothing I say will erase that memory. All I can say is that you are never alone and you are always supported. Whether you feel like it or not, someone out there is ready to listen and support you in what you are going through. It's going to take a lot of strength to get through this, but the strongest battles are often given to the strongest people, and you are stronger than you may even know. I hope your faith in humanity may be one day restored, that you find comfort in the help of others, and that you find peace and solitude knowing you are loved and cared for.

I am writing to you to let you know you are not alone, what has happened to you is not what defines you. Do not blame yourself for the conduct of others you were only just a victim of their horrible actions. I want to say that you are appreciated and things will get better for you because what you went through only makes you stronger. Take every day a step at a time and do little things that bring you joy. I know you might be scared to do the things you use to do but just know there is a community of people that are here with you to help every step of the way because you are not alone. I know talking about your experience may be scary from fear of being looked at differently but, see if you are reading this that I am very proud of how strong you are being. As a survivor, you may question why this had to happen, and if it is your fault. The truth is we may never know why, but I ask if you are reading this to take what has happened to you to empower other women who have suffered the same abuse and keep in mind it is not your fault. Don’t feel like you have to go through this alone. Thank you for continuing to live and looking for ways to heal. I saw it with all the gratitude in the world that you are a role model to follow.

I would first like to start by saying I believe you. Over the years I have had the opportunity to educate myself regarding many issues including those who have faced sexual assault, and I can confidently say that those who have experienced this are some of the strongest people out there.

I can’t imagine the internal suffering you have experienced at some point or still do, but the fact that you are standing here today shows so much courage and integrity that earns so much respect from people like me! I hope that by reading this you will accept the fact that you are a beautiful and resilient survivor. I hope that one day people in situations like yours find peace within. No one should ever keep you from living your life, and I hope you don’t allow yourself to do that as well.

Every person is different, but I hope that whatever way you cope, know that something is there for you no matter what. Support can come from your friends, a relative, a pet, a book, or maybe even a guiding spirit.

I’d like to end this by saying that whoever you are, I am thinking of you and that you are loved deeply.

I’d like to take the time to acknowledge your inexplicable strength. Growing up, we are told that our loved ones are supposed to nurture us. It is not your fault if that idea was used against you at any point in your life, no matter the severity. I believe the emotions and trauma allow genuine connections with others but especially with oneself. I wish to give you the strength to find and fulfill the purpose that fuels your every moment. For that is a coping mechanism that helped me.

I honestly don't know if any words could help heal the pain you have been through. I think you are very much a strong person that still has a great amount of healing to go through.  Just remember you are stronger than you think.“

I am very proud of you for getting through whatever it is that you when through because it was probably not easy for you and wish you the best for you in coping with it. Know that you are never alone you just talk to someone and you will feel better or it will help you because you are great and deserve nothing but greatness.“

I am writing you to let you know that you are not alone. I am also a survivor of sexual abuse. But, I am here to tell you that everything will work itself out. No aspect of anything that you had experienced was your fault. And it never will be, your fault. I sympathize with you to the fullest extent. I greatly apologize for the things you must have went through. But, know that you are not alone and you are strong. Most survivors do not get the support or the encouragement that they need or deserve. So, I hope that this letter will mean something to you. I hope that one day, you will be able to let go of the hardships you were left with at some point in your life. Even today, you might struggle. But, it’s okay. The past is just a footprint in the sand that you walk along. The tide will take it away and you will create new steps. Focus on the now, rather than the past. Do not ask yourself how you were back then, ask how you are right now. Who you are, right now. Where you are, right now. Now is the time to take back. The one thing you must have felt like you had no control over, I know I felt that way. We both are traumatized individuals who just want to feel “clean.” Clean of the sins of another being. Clean of the guilt and the “at fault” feeling we made ourselves feel. But, survivor, we are cleaner than ever. We lived. We strived. We told our stories. Now is the time to support one another. To let it be known, that we are not alone. We are not weak, or disgusting, or damaged. We are strong, brave, important, survivors. You deserve the best in the world. As well as our fellow survivors. We do not need to dwell on the negatives, or the revengeful feelings we might have towards our abusers. In the end, they are nothing. We are everything. Survivor, I hope you find the best in your new, clean, undamaged life. And I hope you continue to walk along the shoreline of your beach that is your life. Keep making footsteps, keep going.“

- Anonymous

No one can tell you you cannot move of to greater things in life. I understand the process of facing something that was not your fault. It can be hard to not accept that it was not your fault. I do not know the situation you went through but I am here to tell you that there will times that you will feel unworthy but I have learn that living one more day taking one more breath in the morning it amazing. If you are reading this I believe you are in the process of healing or have the intention. But through my experience of accepting and understanding that I am a great person that I am worth so much and that I have hope and greater things are to come. I do not want to sugar code anything but I want to let you know that there is people to reach out too and understand and have been there. Do not give up! Through my path I encounter depression, attempt of suicide, self blame, problems, and many other things. But I am happy that I am where I am. I am off to go to college I made the great choice to invest my time in me and school. But I am happy that yes I am different have a hard story to say but from now on I am not missing out in things life has. It took me awhile to get here but it was all worth it. Dealing with negative people and the main one yourself. I hope for you a great future and do not forget that screaming and crying is ok. But just know it takes times and great things will be at the end even if you cannot see it. “

I would just like to start off by saying how much I appreciate you telling me your story. I just feel like it has to take a lot for you to share your abuse story. It must not be easy for you to tell your story and feel like everyone will know your story and could possibly be judged or feel like people will judge you based on what you had to go through. I just have to say that I am also very proud of you for not giving up with your life and kept on going on. After hearing all of the problems that you had to go through and to add the sexual abuse, it has to be very hard. I am just very proud of how strong you are for fighting with your problems. Also, I was very impressed with your stories. I do not have an idea of what made you keep on going with your life or what gave you strength because I would definitely not had the power to deal with sexual abuse. I am very glad that you were able to speak to our group because that also does us a good by realizing what we have. By listening to your story I have realized how lucky I am to not have gone through sexual abuse, I just would not have had the bravery to tell someone in fear of being judged or not believed. I truly admire you! I will definitely have a different perspective and fully understand what people that have gone through sexual abuse really feel like. Once again, thank you for sharing your story with me, I really appreciate it.”

- Anonymous

I'd like to start off by saying I can relate, but sometimes I can't. I say this because everyone goes through something different. My experience isn't something I bring up a lot, because I feel like it is not as bad as other people go through. But nonetheless I changed because of it. It''s hard to acknowledge it sometimes and other times you can't accept it. But it's something that needs to be acknowledged. It might take some time but it's never too late. I want you to know that your experience matters to me, and that whatever route you take it wasn't easy, but you did what you could to get through. Sometimes I don't like how much that affected me when I was a child. I grew up way too fast. One day I'm playing dolls with my best friend and another day I look at her through different eyes because I envy her innocence. And like I said before, my experience wasn't as bad, but I've had times in my life where I've gotten unwanted attention and then I feel bad for even looking the way I do. I struggle to love myself and my body. And as cheesy or untrue for some, as it sounds like time heals someone. And I hope YOU take all the time you need when YOU'RE ready. Do not let that define you. You have no idea how many people can relate to you or how many people you've inspired.“

-- Anonymous

I want to start this letter by telling you that you are important. You are special. You are someone who inspires others, who gives people hope.

I can't claim to know a lot about the subject, my closest connection was that a very close friend's cousin was sexually assaulted in college at a party, but even through that I could see the impact it had on my friend, and his family. Again you are inspiring, you are a strong person, and you are incredibly resilient.

There are days that are easier than others, there are days that are going to challenge you, but there will also be days that make you feel like things are going to be all right. Though it is cliche, time will heal you. Each and everyday you are going to get stronger and stronger. Will everyday be amazing? No. But you are strong. You are tough. You are a survivor. The past does not define you, but it can shape you, today will be better than yesterday. This week will be better than last week. You are a survivor.

Please know that even on the darker days, that we as a school stand by you, and though you don't know us...and we don't know you, we do truly, honestly, and humbly, believe in you.“

Thank you so much for not giving up and doing your best  to get through all your hardships. Thank you for wanting to go on. My senior class decided to do a lock-in for 18 hours to represent 18 years for a young lady name Jaycee Dugard an eleven year old girl who was kidnapped while walking to school.She suffered sexual abuse for 18 years before they found her and the two children she was forced to have by this man named Phillip. This has to be the hardest thing I have done my whole life. its 6:12 am in the morning and we've been here since 6 p.m. yesterday. This journey, this project has not been easy at all, and many times during it I wanted to give up and just go home, I'm pretty sure many survivors did to but that's what makes them a survivor going on when they feel at there lowest. I just want to tell all survivors that they are strong,brave, amazing and a big inspiration on many peoples lives who they don't even know. That's powerful. Thank you for not giving up.“