Welcome to the Survivor Mural Project blog. My name is Kristy, and I am a survivor of sexual abuse and rape. I recently initiated the Survivor Mural Project, which aims to raise global awareness of the prevalence of sexual assault. The project provides all survivors with an opportunity to be heard.
The idea behind the mural project was inspired by the members of Pandora’s Project Inc, a non-profit organization dedicated to offering peer support and resources to survivors of sexual violence, and their friends and family.
As one of the Directors/moderators of Pandy’s, I am often both amazed and saddened by the sheer number of people who sign up to the message board for support every day. It’s humbling and inspiring to be part of a community that helps survivors to feel connected and less alone with their healing struggles (and triumphs!), but it often prompts me to reflect on those survivors around the world who don’t have access to these types of resources. I wanted to find a way to reach out to all survivors, regardless of where they’re from, and what level of access they have to support, and demonstrate that they are really not alone.
Although many survivors struggle with feeling isolated, there are millions of survivors of sexual violence throughout the world. Information and statistics on the prevalence of sexual violence can be accessed on the following websites:
The Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network
Worldwide Sexual Assault Statistics factsheet
We all hear about the violence that is occurring in the world every day, but it’s easy to become desensitized to what it really means. Raw statistical data often feels abstract because the numbers are incomprehensible and overwhelming. I envision the mural project to be a powerful visual representation of the vast numbers of people who have experienced any form of sexual assault in our global community.
Although the Mural Project is still in the very early stages, I’m already so inspired by the mural pieces that survivors have submitted and I am excited to see it evolve into something significant.
Don’t forget to bookmark this blog and check back often for updates to the gallery. The success of this project relies on YOU. Thank you for helping bring it to life!
