Seeking help after sexual assault, relationship violence, stalking, or another traumatic experience can be difficult. For many survivors, one of the hardest parts is realizing that getting support may require them to explain what happened again and again, to multiple strangers.
A survivor may first tell a trusted friend. Then they may speak with an advocate, healthcare provider, forensic nurse, counselor, attorney, or another professional. Each person may have an important role, but repeatedly describing a traumatic experience can be exhausting, and triggering following trauma.
At Hazel, we believe survivors deserve a better experience.
Talking about trauma is not simply repeating a story.
For many survivors, describing what happened can bring difficult emotions back to the surface. They may experience anxiety, sadness, anger, fear, shame, panic or uncertainty.
Some survivors may avoid seeking additional support because they are worried about having to explain everything all over again. This should never be a barrier to receiving care and support following sexual violence.
When someone is already trying to process what happened, navigating multiple systems can feel overwhelming. Retelling their story can be difficult as trauma can affect how memories are experienced and recalled.
Some survivors remember certain details very clearly. Other details may be difficult to remember. Information may become clearer over time – this can vary from person to person. That does not mean a survivor is doing anything wrong. A survivor should not feel that they have to produce a perfectly organized timeline before they can ask for help.
Support should focus on helping the survivor rather than making them feel as though they are being asked to prove their experience. Support should be on the survivors terms – whenever they feel ready to reach out for help. Trauma-informed care begins with recognizing that survivors are the experts on their own experiences. A survivor-centered approach emphasizes safety, trust, choice, and empowerment.
One important question is:
How can we reduce the burden on the survivor?
That question is central to Hazel’s purpose.
Instead of requiring survivors to start over with every provider, Hazel was designed to create a more connected way to explore resources and share information when the survivor chooses, or simply to create a safe, accessible place to process their experience.
The goal is not to remove the role of individual professionals. Medical providers, advocates, counselors, and other specialists each provide important services. The goal is to make the process easier for the
survivor by creating a single access point for all of the important comprehensive services they deserve to support their healing journey. Hazel was created to reduce some of the burden associated with navigating post-assault resources, allowing survivors to explore services, document information, and connect with support while maintaining control over what they share.
You Don’t Have to Tell Your Story Perfectly
If you are a survivor, remember that you do not need to have the perfect words. You may remember some details and not others.
You may want to write rather than speak.
You may want to share everything, or only enough to ask a question.
You can take your time.
Hazel provides a place to begin exploring options without requiring you to have everything figured out first.
Every Survivor Deserves a Better Experience
No survivor should feel that they must repeatedly relive a traumatic experience simply to find help.
A better system recognizes that survivors have different needs, different timelines, and different comfort levels.
At Hazel, we believe your story matters—and that you should have control over how it is shared. Learn more at HazelHelps.me and explore a survivor-centered way to connect with support.
