Not every story works for every campaign. Match your story to your goal.
| Type | Best for | Example Use | |----------|--------------|------------------| | The Arc of Hope (trauma → healing → action) | Donor appeals, fundraising galas, general awareness | Domestic violence org’s annual report | | The Systems-Failure Story (“I reported. Nothing happened.”) | Policy change, legal reform, watchdog journalism | #MeToo legislation push | | The Preventable Moment (“If only someone had known the signs…”) | Training programs, school curricula, Bystander Intervention 101 | Campus sexual assault prevention workshop | hong kong actress carina lau kaling rape video portable
Pro Tip: Avoid the “Trauma Porn” trap. Never ask a survivor to relive graphic details for impact. Instead, ask: “What do you wish people understood about the before and after?” Not every story works for every campaign
Asking a survivor to relive their trauma for a camera without proper psychological support is exploitation. Campaigns must provide on-set counselors and allow the survivor to maintain editorial control over what is shared. Pro Tip: Avoid the “Trauma Porn” trap
At fundraising galas or university assemblies, the survivor speaker is the closer. After the PowerPoint slides showing budget deficits and program needs, the survivor stands up and says, "Your donation would have saved my life." It is the single most effective fundraising tool known to non-profits.
The first action that changed something (even if small).
“Three years later, I found a single anonymous post online from another player. That’s when I knew I wasn’t crazy.”