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Braver Collective

Braver Collective is a healing community built by, with and for survivors of sexual trauma.

10/23/2026

Sometimes, seeing our own survivor experiences reflected in media is the start of feeling a little less alone. 💜 The stories we turn can help us make sense of our emotions and articulate what we couldn't say on our own.

That’s why we’re so glad to share 𝐌𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐀 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐒—a collection of recommendations built by our 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐨𝐨𝐥 (Braver Collective’s Survivor Advisory Cohort).

This list highlights the exact movies, books, art, and games that helped survivors in our community feel truly seen. Through meaningful representation, consuming these works gave them space to process the deep complexities of their own healing journeys.

📌 We’d love to hear from you: Is there a specific book, movie, album, or game that helped you heal in some way? Share it in the comments below!

🔗 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞: https://bravercollective.org/resources/2026-reflecting-pool-media-recs

10/14/2026

“What is it about hispanic/latin culture that tells us to “take it easy,” “no te preocupes” “no llores” “no te quejes.” What is it about Hispanic culture that forces us into a sunny disposition?” 💭 — Karina Davila⁠ ⁠
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In her piece, “Get Through It,” Karina puts words to something so many survivors know intimately: the quiet pressure to swallow our pain, keep family secrets in the house, and put on a brave face no matter what we’re carrying inside.⁠
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It’s an unspoken rule passed down through generations. We often mistake silence for strength. ⁠
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This , honoring where we come from also means doing the hard work of unpacking those cultural scripts, the ones that tell us to "keep the peace" at the expense of our own healing. ⁠
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Because true cultural pride shouldn't require us to ignore our trauma.⁠
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The truth is, we can’t keep sexual trauma hidden or silenced in the name of culture or family. For a community so deeply rooted in strength and connection, real resilience shouldn't mean suffering in silence. ⁠
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It means breaking generational taboos, making room for honest healing, and addressing the issues in our cultures. ⁠
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Karina, thank you for your honesty, your courage, and for making space for this essential conversation 💜 ⁠
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🔗 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐊𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐚'𝐬 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲: https://bravercollective.org/stories/get-through-it⁠
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Karina Davila is a designer, researcher, artist, and writer whose life and work are shaped by her experience as a survivor of child sexual abuse. She channels that truth into advocacy, education, and healing—believing deeply in the power of design and storytelling to shift culture, spark conversation, and create the conditions for genuine connection and safety.⁠⁠⁠⁠

10/13/2026

Last week, we had the absolute privilege of joining the Colorado State University’s SAFE Center Survivor Advocacy & Foundational Education Center for their Relationship Violence Awareness Month Plaza Day! 💜

We spent the day talking non-stop with over 400 survivors and supporters who stopped by to connect and learn more. With so much recent conversation around the news at Cornell, more people than ever are seeking support—and we want to remind you that you don’t have to share your story to receive care. Braver Collective is always here as a safe, confidential resource for survivors, especially those who aren’t ready to disclose or speak publicly yet.

A huge shoutout and thank you to Imani Lindillo, MPA, Director of the SAFE Center, for inviting us to support your student community and connect them with Braver Collective.

We’re also thrilled to introduce our very first Student Ambassador, Nyxie Bennett, who was right there on campus sharing Braver’s mission and uplifting fellow survivors! 🌟

This is just the beginning... stay tuned as we prepare to officially roll out our Student Ambassador Program! 👀

10/07/2026

They are trying to expose Jane Doe’s name but she is us, we are her, and we will always protect each other. We are all Jane Doe until none of us have to be. ❤️‍🩹

10/06/2026

You are not alone ✨

09/25/2026

We need to talk about military sexual trauma.

Today is Military Sexual Trauma (MST) Awareness Day.

While statistics state 33% of women veterans and 1 in 50 men report sexual assault while serving, we know the actual number is much higher.

Because our systems fail to protect survivors, many choose not to report. Please know that whether you reported or carried your story alone, your healing matters and you don’t have to walk this path by yourself.

Swipe for MST resources and paths toward healing --->

👉 Read "Shattering the Silence" by Aaron Stone: https://bravercollective.org/resources/shattering-the-silence

08/20/2026

How does Ketamine Therapy actually work, and can it help us heal from sexual trauma?

Ketamine therapy uses low, controlled doses of a dissociative anesthetic which blocks brain receptors that tell neural pathways to close.

It boosts neuroplasticity which helps the brain heal damaged pathways or build new ones.

Ketamine has been gaining traction for its ability to help with trauma recovery, but deciding to pursue such a powerful treatment is a deeply personal choice.

Survivor and writer, Lea Grover shares the good, the bad, and the unexpected results of using Ketamine therapy in her healing journey in the latest insight article, “Everything I Learned About Treating PTSD with Ketamine.”

👉Read Lea’s full insight article here: https://bravercollective.org/resources/everything-i-learned-about-treating-ptsd-with-ketamine?utm_source=facebook_organic&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=ketamine_therapy

Lea Grover is a Chicago-based writer, speaker, and survivor who has spent years documenting her deeply personal journey through trauma and her late husband’s terminal cancer.

Order her powerful, new memoir, “When and Always: A Love Story of Disease and Madness” here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1964495229?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback

You can find more of her work at leagrover.substack.com.

08/18/2026

‘“What were you wearing?“ A dress. A shirt and shorts. Who knows? Who cares? I am 13, 12, 11, 10, and he is 30 years older than I am... ’

👉Tap the link in our bio to read Ambrose’s (Ambrose) full story, “Requiem.”

To our fellow survivors: We are not at fault, and the clothes on our bodies never invited our abuse. Our experiences are real, our grief is fully justified, and our healing belongs to us, on our own timeline. (💾 Save this post for the days you need that reminder.)
Ambrose Ravenwood (he/him) is a q***r, autistic, transgender, Jewish 18-year-old writer from the Southern U.S. He spends most of his time petting his girlfriend’s cat, preparing to pursue a degree in Theatre, and getting angry about the government.
Follow Braver Collective for a healing community built by, with, and for survivors of sexual trauma. Learn, share, and heal with us here or at BRAVERCOLLECTIVE.ORG

08/14/2026

💜Meet the folks shaping the survivor space at Braver Collective!

This powerful group of young survivors, creatives, healers, and organizers is helping us grow our pool of survivor-led resources, shared wisdom, and community insights.

Swipe to meet the 2026 Reflectors ➡️

Andy Quintana Vendrell (she/her) |
Therapist, coach, dancer, , and artist weaving movement + creativity into healing.

August Stephens (he/they) |
Trans, neuroq***r disabled academic researcher, poet, survivor, and visual artist.

Brecken Styles (she/her) |
Law student and q***r neurodivergent survivor advocating for equitable, accessible .

Calista Hennie (she/her) | Substack: Caliberate
Queens-based writer, survivor, and copywriter weaving creative storytelling, personal healing, and digital community into advocacy.

Claire (she/they)
Medical student and patient advocate who is passionate about trauma-informed care.

Deb Coffy (they/she)
Black, Q***r Haitian American reproductive justice advocate, event planner, writer, creative, and researcher.

Gurwant Khabra (she/her) |
Registered nurse and graduate of San Francisco State University, and holds a BA in Public Health from UC Berkeley.

Lauren Ward (she/her) |
Coordinator for Brown’s Sexual Assault Prevention Education Program; artist, mother, and survivor creating bold, tender work rooted in truth and transformation.

Miyanna Clements-Williamson (she/her) | .clements
Therapist blending EMDR, somatic healing, and faith-rooted grounding into survivor support.

Facilitators:

Beth Siegling (she/they) |
Artist, survivor, and Content & Community Engagement Manager, Beth co-facilitates the Reflecting Pool with deep creativity, vision, and care.

Riss Myung (she/her) |
Mind-body coach, artist, and Reflecting Pool co-facilitator guiding survivors back to themselves through grounded, embodied healing practices.

Thank you Reflectors! 🙏

07/24/2026

“I come from a long line of age gaps and teen brides.

Three generations born within thirty years.

And all of the fathers were adult men.

And one hundred years later…nothing has changed.

And no. We weren’t ‘mature for our age.’ We weren’t ‘fast,’ or ‘grown.’

We were just girls.”

👉 Tap the link to read Amanda’s () full story, “Just Girls”: https://bravercollective.org/stories/just-girls

Amanda Izzo is a writer and mixed-media artist from Boston sharing nonfiction narratives to connect with fellow survivors and creatives.

💙Follow for a healing community built by, with, and for survivors of sexual trauma. Learn, share, and heal with us here or at BRAVERCOLLECTIVE.ORG

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10 Town Plaza #138
Durango, CO
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