Behind every statistic is a story — of survival, courage, and rebuilding.
Stories for Survival brings together the voices of people who have lived through family and sexual violence. These stories are shared with deep care, consent, and respect — and they hold the power to shift hearts, systems, and understanding.
This is Maya's story:
"My childhood home was filled with anger and silence. Occasionally, I found myself shielding my mother. She was smaller, weaker. She wailed for hours. She was mourning yet another piece of her relationship, chipped away from her soul, every day.
Her rage was brimming, with one place to pour it; I was the vessel.
I was three, wearing an itchy sweater. I begged for it to be taken off. She refused.
That was the first time her rage outpoured over me.
Nineteen years later, I pushed back. My hands, beyond my control, rose. My anger was roaring, and my conscience was quiet. “If you touch me again...” I said. I couldn’t complete my sentence.
With anger came clarity. My raised hands were no triumph, only a painful realisation; I couldn’t save her.
I had to save myself. I had to leave, and I did.
Six years later, the tug of war continues; she talks, she complains, I groan.
I see her eyes are kinder now, her voice is slightly softer. Sometimes she apologises for the pain she causes me.
I am tangled with guilt and grief. I rehearse my forgiveness; I lie and say, ‘it's okay.’
The wounds are quieter, but I still hear them.
She resents me for leaving. I resent her for staying."
These stories matter. Help us publish a trauma-informed collection of lived-experience stories that challenge systems, break silence and inspire action.
But we can’t do it alone.
Your support will help us:
This is more than a book.
It’s visibility. It’s truth. It’s change.
Donate today and help these voices reach the people who need to hear them.
Yes
Yes, as soon as your donation is processed.
Behind every statistic is a story — of survival, courage, and rebuilding.
Stories for Survival brings together the voices of people who have lived through family and sexual violence. These stories are shared with deep care, consent, and respect — and they hold the power to shift hearts, systems, and understanding.
This is Maya's story:
"My childhood home was filled with anger and silence. Occasionally, I found myself shielding my mother. She was smaller, weaker. She wailed for hours. She was mourning yet another piece of her relationship, chipped away from her soul, every day.
Her rage was brimming, with one place to pour it; I was the vessel.
I was three, wearing an itchy sweater. I begged for it to be taken off. She refused.
That was the first time her rage outpoured over me.
Nineteen years later, I pushed back. My hands, beyond my control, rose. My anger was roaring, and my conscience was quiet. “If you touch me again...” I said. I couldn’t complete my sentence.
With anger came clarity. My raised hands were no triumph, only a painful realisation; I couldn’t save her.
I had to save myself. I had to leave, and I did.
Six years later, the tug of war continues; she talks, she complains, I groan.
I see her eyes are kinder now, her voice is slightly softer. Sometimes she apologises for the pain she causes me.
I am tangled with guilt and grief. I rehearse my forgiveness; I lie and say, ‘it's okay.’
The wounds are quieter, but I still hear them.
She resents me for leaving. I resent her for staying."
These stories matter. Help us publish a trauma-informed collection of lived-experience stories that challenge systems, break silence and inspire action.
But we can’t do it alone.
Your support will help us:
This is more than a book.
It’s visibility. It’s truth. It’s change.
Donate today and help these voices reach the people who need to hear them.
Yes
Yes, as soon as your donation is processed.
