Stories by Strangers 

Stories by Stranger is an online support community and safe space for victims of sexual and mental abuse. It allows people to share their stories anonymously and some of them are collaboratively turned into animations to be viewed by the public. The animations aim to disrupt the flow of desensitized media about mental health and abuse against women. They are posted on social media platforms to find the good side of social media and translate that into a safe space while maintaining anonymity.

 

The Beginning:

The creator of the community received an email in 2020 with the subject line: 'Would you be willing to tell my story?'. She opened the email and read one of the most excruciating stories about a young girl who had been to police stations, family, and friends, yet no one believed that she was not safe at home, or safe from her father.

 

“You have to tell your story properly,” said Hannah Gatsby, a famous women’s activist and advocate for mental health, and these victims of abuse wanted just that. The creator opened up her email to more people and that grew into an online community which became more than was ever intended. Eventually, The creator, collaboratively with the members,  produced an animation series called ‘what we hear, say and think’ about catcalling, and PTSD.  After that, They opened their inbox to anyone who had something to say.

Today we have over 3 million views on Instagram, other platforms, and people want to share their stories from all around the world.

This project aims to hopefully provide some peace, support, a platform, and some power to the victims. The project maintains a goal of reversing the desensitization to sexual and mental abuse and unlearning internalized patriarchal narratives.