When I first discovered your community, I was at my lowest. you made me feel like things will be okay even though I am not. I will never forget you.
Thailand
Somehow I landed on this page and I felt that some of the stories were literally mine. I saw how supportive you and your community is, and I felt so seen.
India
You and your community made me seek proper help and now social services are helping me with financial support and an apartment. Thank you for everything.
USA
About
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. They are posted online to find the good side of social media and translate that into a safe space while maintaining anonymity. This project recognizes survivors worldwide, emphasizing the critical need for safety awareness. We always do and will continue to spread acceptance through our motto,' We hear and believe you'.
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Today we have over 3 million views, over 20,000 story submissions from 20 countries and more than 40,000 followers.
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Our Story
The creator has always used her work to talk about topics of consent and sexual health, which led an anonymous collaborator to reach out to her for help. In 2020, she received an email with the subject line: "Would you be willing to tell my story?"
Hannah Gatsy, who is a famous women’s activist and advocate for mental health once said, “You have to tell your story properly,” and these victims of abuse wanted just that. The creator decided to collaborate with the storyteller to animate their experience, which in turn received considerable attention online. After that, the stories just started flooding in. Eventually, The creator produced an animation series called ‘what we hear, say and Think’ about catcalling, and PTSD.
Finally, due to the influx of stories, Stories by Strangers was born. Storytellers collaborate with the creator to shape how their stories are received. The animations use an experience-based approach to therapeutically express trauma, granting storytellers creative agency. They are provided with artistic tools to help them craft unique versions of their stories with quirky characters, vibrant colors, and surreal locations. The animations not only raise awareness among broader audiences but also serve as a meaningful gift to the storytellers, offering them a personal connection through the film itself.
Submit your Story
Do you have a story to tell? Can your story help others? Submit it here! We hope to collaborate with you in creating your vision for this story a reality, to tell it the way you want! Your story will be anonymous by default but you can choose to provide any information you see fit!
The Characters
Vitra
Oli
Bib
Kuku
Advisors
Sponsers
Supporters
Harsh Priyadarsy
Manish Mehrotra
Phistream consulting
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Office of DEI at SAIC
