Braver Collective is dedicated to creating welcoming, accessible online spaces by, with and for survivors of sexual abuse and trauma. We publish survivor stories to show that no survivor is alone, that healing is possible, and that there is no one “right” way to heal. Survivor Stories include original writing, visual art, as well as video and audio recordings created by survivors, describing our lived experiences and unique paths to healing. Survivor Stories are personal narratives and reflections of an individual survivor’s path to healing.
At Braver Collective, we aim to create an accessible, reliable, trauma-responsive and shame-free online space dedicated to survivor voice, so we may all find acceptance, hope and our next, best step toward healing. The process we use to solicit, review, and publish survivor stories reflects those same values and goals.
We aim to regularly publish multi-media survivor stories that illustrate the many paths and paradoxes of healing.
Calls for submission will be open for a limited time. When we receive your submission, you will receive an automated response. Once the call for submissions is closed, Braver Collective will spend 1 month reviewing submissions. During this process, all identifying information will be kept confidential. All Braver Collective team members who assist with reviewing submissions are trusted and trained.
Once stories are selected for publication, Braver Collective staff will reach out to you about how to move forward in the way that feels best to you. You will always be in control of what information is shared with your piece. If at any point you wish to remove your submission, just let us know!
Braver Collective is dedicated to creating welcoming, accessible online spaces by, with and for survivors of sexual abuse and trauma.
There are as many paths to healing as there are people walking them. We publish stories that show us these unique paths.
Storytelling comes in many forms. We’re interested in original writing, as well as visual art, videos and audio recordings by survivors that tell us honestly and bravely where they are. If you are a survivor who tells your story in a different form, we want to include you. Tell us about it.
We do not need happy endings or resolution.
We don’t insist you tell us the lesson.
We just want to know what healing has been like for you.
Healing is not a linear journey. It’s a never-ending path, like a spiral. No matter how many times you seem to circle back to the same old places, you’re always at a different level, finding new insights and making new meaning.
Show us your path. Let us hear your voice.
Submissions can be:
- Poetry
- Prose
- Short Story
- Essay
- Memoir
- Flash fiction
- Visual art
Written submissions should be no longer than 700 words.
Code of conduct:
Every healthy community relies on spoken and unspoken rules to create an environment of safety and mutual respect. This “code of conduct” was created in Spring 2023, in partnership with a panel of survivors. It will continue to evolve as our collective grows.
We all have a right to tell our story the way we need to.
● As survivors, we need to read and tell authentic stories—and authenticity can be messy.
● We have the right to feel and express our feelings, including feelings that may make others’ uncomfortable.
● We do not police others’ rage. We have every right to be angry.
● We don’t expect perfect endings.
● We honor our mistakes as part of our healing process.
We all have a right to feel safe in this space, free from fear, shame, judgment, or bullying.
● We do not tolerate hate speech of any kind.
● Anyone found in violation will be blocked and reported on all Braver channels.
We all have a responsibility to take care of ourselves as best as we’re able.
● We will offer and acknowledge trigger warnings to prevent unintended harm to ourselves and others.
● We agree to be mindful of our own triggers, and trust ourselves to know when to avoid potentially harmful content.
We have to trust ourselves & each other to step away from the space when we need to.
● We will be compassionate with ourselves and others.
● We will give ourselves time to grieve, rage, rest, and repair.
We will offer what we can, when we’re able, to support our collective healing.
● We will do what we can to support one another and lift up each other’s voices.
● We are here to heal in community.