Where Light Enters Archive: Collective Truths of Surviving Violence
Where Light Enters Archive: Collective Truths of Surviving Violence is a living collection of firsthand stories dedicated to moving experiences of violence out of isolated, private pain and into a shared, acknowledged truth. This project began as members of our community were attempting to navigate the extremely complex situation of having lived violent impact from Dr Jekyll Mr Hyde personalities, without resource for true reconciliation or safety, and then being forced to further bear witness to continued harm in the lives around us. This is a scenario that happens in countless ways and in countless communities. Harm is downplayed and dismissed and silenced, and so it continues. This is damaging for everyone- the perpetrators, the victims, the community, the children, the planet, etc. One of the ways this cycle continues is due to survivors being encouraged to carry their stories alone. This archive exists to shine a light onto these situations in order to change that- creating a permanent, dignified space where lived experiences are witnessed, believed, and preserved on the storyteller’s own terms. The devastation, the revelations, the healings, the reconciliation, the lost relationships, the severe, the subtle, all the feelings, the surrender, the disempowering, the empowerment, the humor, the horror- all of it is welcome in this space.
Our mission is to honor the truth of survivors by building an accessible, trauma-informed record of resilience and reality. Through your own chosen means of sharing, the aim is to break the spell of isolation, honor survivor agency by giving storytellers complete control and sovereignty over how their experience is shared, and to anchor in a collective awareness and understanding by ensuring these truths are seen, heard, and remembered.
About the Project
Thank you for considering adding your story to the Where Light Enters Archive. Sharing experiences of violence takes immense courage. Our team recognizes that and the process is designed to prioritize your safety, privacy, and emotional well-being at every step. In alignment with the inspiration for the name from the Rumi quote “The wound is the place where the Light enters you”, the goal is to increase, bit by bit, pieces of light in our shared lived humanity, so that we can build a world where far fewer are swallowed in darkness. Sometimes recounting the depths of the dark is an offering of light for others- we are not alone. First and foremost, this is meant for you- to increase your own holding of light for yourself. You have full sovereignty throughout this process, to honor your own story and your full Self.
This project is open to all genders, as we recognize that violence is a pervasive experience of humanity. It is also open to all ages, cultures, spiritual and religious connections, and varying beliefs. However, if the person wanting to share is under the age of 13 here in Washington State, we will need parental consent and involvement. In addition, anyone between 13 and 16 will need to agree to increased safety parameters, such as possibly having a licensed mental health professional present.
Once you have decided this experience feels right for the next step of your journey, complete the survey below and let us know what set up would best support you. We are a small team that are honored to provide this offering as volunteers, and some of the options might take time to gather. One example is if you feel called to share your sexual assault story with a group of supportive men, who are not in your community, as witnesses. Over time, the goal is to build connections where there are teams ready and willing. Right now, it will take some extra time to coordinate that.
You have full agency over the details. You may be video recorded, audio recorded, or recorded on paper by another. You may be witnessed by just a couple individuals, by many, by a single gender, by multiple genders, or by no one (if you want to send in poetry or art or a short story written down). You may publish your story using your full name, first name only, initials, a pseudonym, or completely anonymously. You may speak, perform interpretive dance, sing, shake while speaking, etc. Details are not silenced. If you need to explicitly speak to physical or sexual violence, it will be noted in the archives so that people can choose whether or not to engage. You may experience being witnessed and then subsequently chose not to publish. Your consent is ongoing. If you ever decide you want your story updated, anonymized, or removed from the archive in the future, you can contact us at GrowingWildSouls@gmail.com and we will honor your request promptly.
Disclaimer for such an important experience: this is not a crisis counseling service. Consulting with a trusted therapist is encouraged! Some of us volunteers will be trauma-informed, and some will not be. Please consider where you are in your healing journey, and fiercely honor your boundaries and needs- throughout every step of the process. You are welcomed to change your mind at any moment, if you try something and find you need different. Look to the resource list for recommendations of additional support.
For right now, we are available just once a month for in person witnessing. Written works and photos of art are always accepted. If you would like to join the team, or share contact information for your healing service, please reach out. We need community to build safer communities. Thank you for being here.
How This Works
TaraLynn WindDancer:
*Project just getting started- check back soon for bios and submission form link and resource list.*