The National Federation of the Blind is committed to a safe, healthy, and welcoming environment. Below are several resources for survivors and allies. If you have questions or suggestions, please reach out to [email protected]
Survivor Vignettes
Volunteers in the Survivor Task Force are providing brief writings as it relates to survivor support.
- "The People In My Life Don't Believe Me: How to Proceed After Sexual Abuse" by Robert Stigile
- “This Just Happened, What do I Do?” How to Report Sexual Abuse and Begin the Healing Process" by Miss Ruth Williams
- "Validating Survivors: Standing by as an Ally" by Rachel Grider, Robert Stigile, and Miss Ruth Williams
If you would like to submit a vignette, please reach out to [email protected]
#ListeningTogether
Thank you to Sarah Erb and Rachel Grider for the following resource. #ListeningTogether is a YouTube playlist of songs that have been instrumental in the individual journeys of those whom have experienced misconduct within the blind community. We encourage use of this playlist to increase representation, empathy, solidarity, and respect in the blind community.
Each song contributed to this list has helped someone feel validated, and was chosen because it has been meaningful to them in some way.
This is a collaboration for the use of those in the blind community—blind, low-vision, and sighted, who have experienced any type or level of misconduct, trauma, abuse, harassment, and /or assault. It will also be a tool for those who do not have firsthand experience to listen together.
- Songs are added to the playlist anonymously. We are not collecting personal data, and signing in is not required to fill out the form.
- Songs will be separated into two groups: Listening Together 2021 Secular and Listening Together 2021 Sacred.
- No specific consumer or advocacy group within the blind community has claim to this collaboration, and those who add their songs to the playlist need not be a member of any consumer or advocacy group.
- Email [email protected] with questions.
Email [email protected] with questions.
Please feel free to share this information with others.
It is our sincere hope that we can truly listen together to encourage empathy among the various intersections that many identify with in addition to blindness and we believe that we can rebuild a safer future and a brighter culture in our blind community.
To submit a song, access the #ListeningTogether submission form.
Additional Support: Connect with RAINN
RAINN, the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization, created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline in partnership with more than 1,000 local sexual assault service providers across the country. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, free, confidential help is available 24/7 by calling 800.656.HOPE (4673) or visiting online.rainn.org.
More Information
For more information or to share concerns, ask questions, or voice an interest in helping with our efforts, please email the Survivor Task Force at [email protected] or call 410-659-9314 extension 2238. Note that all task force members have access to these communication channels. The Survivor Task Force is not responsible for receiving and resolving grievances, but will be supportive and helpful as individuals navigate their experiences and healing. The Survivor Task Force stands with all survivors who have been harmed and are invested in this much-needed change.