In the world of public health and social justice, data is often seen as the king of persuasion. We believe that if we just show people the numbers—the 1 in 4, the rising rates, the economic costs—the public will act. Yet, time and again, a pie chart fails to change a heart. A bar graph rarely moves someone to tears or compels them to volunteer.

Survivor stories are a powerful way to raise awareness about social issues, as they provide a personal and relatable perspective on complex problems. By sharing their experiences, survivors can:

Consider the innovative approach of the This Is Sexual Assault campaign. Instead of focusing on stranger danger in dark alleys (which is statistically rare), the campaign featured survivors narrating stories in everyday locations: a dorm room bunk bed, the back seat of a sedan, a kitchen floor.