Resources
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The Knowing, Voicelore’s information and resource program, also offers guidance for survivors, allies, and anyone seeking to protect themselves, help others, or advocate for change. Whether you are responding to harm, supporting someone else, or working to shift the culture around you, these materials are designed to meet you with clarity and care. Each section offers trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming guidance in plain language—free from shame, judgment, or sensationalism. Tap or click on the question that most closely reflects what you want to know to explore practical ways to take action. Although these resources are not a substitute for professional advice, they may help you move forward with insight, purpose, and compassion.
Violence Based on Gender
There is no way to guarantee that gender-based violence will not occur. Abuse is always the responsibility of the person who chooses to harm—not the person who experiences it. But in a world where violence remains common, we all deserve tools to help reduce risk—within ourselves, our relationships, and our communities.
Reducing risk is not just about taking personal precautions. It is about changing the conditions that allow abuse to happen in the first place. Below are six approaches that support individual safety while also working toward collective change.
1. Learn what abuse really looks like—early and subtle.
Abuse is not always loud or visible. It can start as pressure, isolation, flattery, jealousy framed as care, or someone disregarding your “no” even once. Learning to recognize those early signs—in romantic relationships, friendships, school, or work—can help you respond with clarity. This awareness can also help you support others who may be unsure if what they’re experiencing is harmful.
Resource: Love Is Respect – Warning Signs of Abuse
2. Question the stories you’ve been taught about power.
Many people are socialized to associate control with love, or to downplay their own discomfort to keep others happy. Others are taught to pursue persistence rather than respect. These messages can lead people to excuse, enable, or even commit abuse without realizing it. By unlearning harmful narratives and practicing consent, care, and accountability, we can reduce the risk of both being harmed and causing harm.
Resource: NSVRC – Prevention Tools
3. Respect boundaries—even if they confuse you.
You do not have to understand someone’s boundaries to honor them. If someone sets a limit, seems distant, or changes a dynamic, respond with respect—not persuasion. This is especially important across neurotypes. People may communicate differently, but consent should always be clear and mutual. Being confused is not an excuse to cross someone’s line.
Resource: National Domestic Violence Hotline – Consent
4. Trust your instincts—and support others in trusting theirs.
Many people are taught to ignore red flags or second-guess themselves. Survivors often report feeling that “something was off” long before they were harmed. If something does not feel right, you are allowed to take distance, set boundaries, or ask for help—even if others do not see the problem. Believe your gut, and validate others when they listen to theirs.
Resource: RAINN – Safety and Prevention
5. Create safer environments—not just for yourself, but for others.
Speak up when someone crosses a line—even if it seems small. Make it normal to check in when a friend looks uncomfortable, or to intervene if someone is isolating or pressuring another person. Violence thrives in silence. You do not have to be confrontational to disrupt harm—you just have to be willing to notice it and act.
Resource: Right To Be – Bystander Intervention
6. Stay connected to communities that teach care, not control.
Healing and prevention are easier when we are surrounded by people who model respect, empathy, and consent. Find communities—whether online or in person—that hold space for emotional honesty, healthy boundaries, and mutual support. If that kind of space is hard to find, consider creating it. Culture change starts small. Voicelore is one example. Through our music-based programs and advocacy efforts, we help survivors reclaim expression, challenge harmful norms, and connect with others in trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming spaces. Whether you are healing, learning, or creating change—there is a place for you here.
Resource: StrongHearts Native Helpline – Community Care
A note for survivors
You are not responsible for someone else’s choice to harm you. If you were hurt, it is not because you failed to be careful. Nothing about your behavior, clothing, neurotype, emotions, or boundaries made you deserving of violence. Safety tips can be helpful, but they are never a guarantee—and they are never a requirement for deserving support. Survivors are never to blame.
A note for everyone else
Reducing risk is not just about protecting ourselves. It is also about helping others feel safe, respected, and heard. The more we challenge harmful norms—and replace them with care, clarity, and consent—the fewer people will be harmed in the first place.
Together, we can build a world where safety is not just a privilege. It is a right.
Sources and Further Reading
You do not have to be an expert to support someone in danger. Whether you are witnessing abuse in real time or noticing signs after the fact, you can make a difference by being an active bystander—someone who chooses to step in, speak up, or offer support when something feels wrong. Gender-based violence thrives in silence. When you take action, you interrupt that silence.
Sometimes intervention means responding in the moment—like helping someone leave an unsafe situation, redirecting an interaction, or stopping a harmful joke or comment. Other times, it means recognizing when someone may be struggling, believing them when they open up, or offering quiet, ongoing support. No matter how big or small your action is, it can send a powerful message: you are not alone.
In-the-moment intervention
If you see something happening that feels unsafe, you can use the CARE method—adapted from NO MORE:
C – Create a distraction.
Interrupt the situation without confrontation. You might ask someone to come with you, start a new conversation, “accidentally” spill a drink, or redirect the group’s attention. A small moment of disruption can stop something from escalating.
A – Ask directly.
Check in with the person who may be at risk. You can ask, “Are you okay?” or “Do you want to leave?” even if you do not know them well. Trust your instincts. If something feels off, say something.
R – Refer to authority.
If the situation is escalating or someone is in immediate danger, find a trusted authority figure—like a bartender, teacher, RA, manager, or campus safety officer. If no one responds or the danger is urgent, call 911.
E – Enlist others.
You do not have to act alone. Ask a friend to help create a distraction, check on someone, or talk to the person causing harm. Even if you are nervous, speaking up together can make intervention easier—and safer.
Outside the moment
Not all signs of abuse happen in public. Sometimes, a friend may pull away, change their routine, or seem afraid of someone they used to trust. You may notice a coworker being monitored, a classmate being isolated, or a loved one becoming unusually quiet or apologetic. These may be signs of emotional, physical, or psychological harm.
Here are ways you can help:
Reach out without pressure. Say, “I’ve noticed things seem different lately—do you want to talk?” or “I’m here if you ever need someone.” Respect their boundaries. Do not demand details or try to “rescue” them.
Believe them. Survivors are often met with skepticism or blame. If someone confides in you, listen without judgment. You do not need to fix the situation to be a source of support.
Avoid advice disguised as blame. Phrases like “Why didn’t you leave?” or “You need to report it” can feel overwhelming or invalidating. Try saying, “That shouldn’t have happened to you” or “I support whatever decision feels safest for you.”
Help them access support. Offer to help research local resources, make a call together, or sit with them while they talk to someone else. You can also help them build a safety plan or find community—like the peer support programs offered by Voicelore.
When you are unsure what to do
If you are uncertain whether someone needs help, it is okay to check in gently. It is better to ask than to stay silent. Even if they are not ready to talk, your concern can help break the isolation many survivors feel.
If you say the wrong thing, you can still repair it. Try, “I realize that didn’t come out right—what I meant was that I care, and I’m here.” Your presence matters more than perfect words.
When you step in—whether by redirecting a risky moment, offering quiet support, or helping someone feel seen after they share their story—you are helping shift the culture that allows abuse to thrive. Your presence tells survivors they are not alone. Your actions show that respect matters more than comfort, and that silence will not protect anyone. At Voicelore, we know prevention takes more than rules. It takes community. That is why we continue to create spaces where survivors are believed, boundaries are honored, and care—not control—defines how we relate to one another.
Resources for learning more:
Music has always played a role in resistance, remembrance, and recovery. Whether you are a survivor yourself or someone who cares deeply about creating change, music can be a powerful way to raise awareness, challenge harmful narratives, and support those impacted by gender-based violence.
At Voicelore, we believe that songs do more than tell stories—they shape them. That is why The Resounding, our advocacy and storytelling branch, will uplift survivor-created music while also welcoming contributions from non-survivors who want to be part of the change.
These efforts will include:
Music releases that name harm, reclaim power, and offer healing truths
Tours and showcases that center survivor artistry and collective expression
Soundtracks for action—licensed for use in survivor-led films, PSAs, podcasts, or stage works
K–12 presentations that use music to explore boundaries, self-worth, and healthy relationships
College outreach that blends music and dialogue to support student survivors and challenge institutional silence
Songs that mobilize—written to power movements, petitions, and protests
If you are a survivor, your music can reflect your story, your emotions, or your vision for what healing and safety should sound like. There is no pressure to share anything you do not want to. Voicelore never requires public disclosure—and we believe that music can express what words alone sometimes cannot.
If you are a non-survivor, your music can still make a difference—especially when it is grounded in empathy, education, and a commitment to uplifting survivor voices rather than speaking over them. You can write songs about solidarity, bystander action, prevention, or the cultural shifts we need to see. These supportive pieces help reduce stigma and show survivors they are not alone.
Voicelore will soon provide submission opportunities for artists of all backgrounds—both lived and learned. In the meantime, we invite you to reflect on the power of your own voice and ask yourself: What do I want to stand for in sound?
You do not need a title, platform, or degree to make a difference. Every time you speak up, take action, or support someone in need, you help shift the world we live in. In addition to reducing your risk, being an active bystander, and supporting a survivor in your life, there are many ways to take your care and courage even further.
Whether you are new to advocacy or already deeply involved, your actions matter—and you are welcome here.
Ways to take action
1. Join a movement.
Activists work to change laws, policies, and institutions that have failed survivors. You can advocate for safer schools, improved workplace protections, or better state and federal laws around gender-based violence. Visit RAINN’s policy page to explore federal advocacy or Know Your IX to learn about campus-based action.
2. Support a cause.
Giving financially is one way to support survivors and help prevent abuse—but it is not the only way. If you have the means, you can contribute to a local crisis center, a survivor-led project, or a creative initiative like Voicelore. Although we cannot accept donations just yet, we hope to begin fundraising later this year. Updates will be shared on our website and social media as soon as we are able to receive contributions.
3. Volunteer your time.
You can support survivors by answering crisis hotlines, attending events, or helping with community programs. Some volunteers accompany people to hospitals, courtrooms, or campus hearings. Others help educate the public, plan awareness campaigns, or create resources. Many local organizations offer training—check with your school, workplace, or a nearby advocacy center.
4. Organize a fundraiser.
You can bring people together to raise money and awareness through a benefit concert, open mic, art show, car wash, or bake sale. Fundraisers can be joyful, powerful acts of solidarity. If you are connected to a school, workplace, faith group, or creative community, consider using your platform to uplift survivors and support the work of change-making organizations.
5. Use your voice.
You can challenge rape culture, call out discrimination, share accurate resources, and name abuse when you see it. Speak up in conversation, on social media, or through your art. The impact of your voice—especially when consistent and grounded in care—can ripple outward more than you realize.
The Resounding: Where your voice becomes part of something larger
Voicelore’s advocacy branch, The Resounding, will invite both survivors and allies to drive cultural change through music, storytelling, and community action. Whether you have lived experience, deep empathy, or a desire to help reshape the systems around you, there is a place for you here.
The Resounding will include:
Music releases that name harm, reclaim power, and raise awareness
Tours and showcases that amplify survivor stories and spark dialogue
Soundtracks for action—original music licensed for survivor-led films, podcasts, stage works, and PSAs
K–12 presentations focused on healthy relationships, consent, boundaries, and self-worth
College outreach that supports student survivors and challenges institutional failures
Songs that mobilize—written for protests, petitions, and movements for change
These efforts will be paired with funding for prevention-focused music education. Through our partnership with Once Upon a Voice, we will help young people build the creativity, confidence, and language to express themselves—and to honor others’ boundaries too.
You can make a difference.
In your school, your workplace, your home, and your community, you have the power to help stop abuse before it starts. Until every survivor is believed, protected, and free—we keep going.
Want to do more?
Explore these organizations for opportunities to get involved:
And keep checking back with Voicelore for future ways to participate. Your voice matters—and your actions can echo far beyond today.
Whether you are advocating for your own safety or supporting someone else, you have the right to ask questions, expect protection, and speak up about systems that feel unsafe. This includes schools, universities, and workplaces. Safety should not depend on your race, gender, disability status, neurotype, or whether you have someone advocating with you. Every student and worker deserves to feel secure, respected, and supported.
If you are evaluating a school or workplace—or trying to address an unsafe situation—you can start by asking questions like these:
Culture of care and accountability
What is the school or company doing to prevent gender-based violence, including sexual assault, harassment, domestic or dating violence, and stalking?
How do they respond when harm is reported? Do they treat survivors with respect, or protect the reputation of the institution?
Are there trained, trauma-informed staff available? Are those staff culturally responsive and reflective of the communities they serve?
Access and inclusion
Are safety policies inclusive of people with disabilities, neurodivergent needs, or communication differences?
Do staff understand how to accommodate AAC users, Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals, and people with sensory sensitivities?
Are support services accessible to people of all races, languages, religions, immigration statuses, or gender identities?
Preventing isolation and retaliation
What protections exist for people who report abuse or misconduct? Are there anti-retaliation policies in place—and are they enforced?
Are students or workers who report harm supported with counseling, medical care, schedule changes, or leave options?
If someone takes time away to heal, can they return without penalty?
Specific safety logistics
For schools:
How are residence halls secured? Are there locks on both sides of connecting doors? Are guests monitored or required to check in?
Are there safety escorts or transportation for off-campus students at night?
What kind of sexual assault prevention programming is offered—and is it ongoing or just one-time?
How does the school respond when a staff member, professor, or another student causes harm?
For workplaces:
Are harassment prevention trainings offered regularly—and do they address power dynamics, microaggressions, and gender-based violence?
Is there a clear process to report harm? Does HR take action, or are reports minimized or ignored?
Are accommodations available for trauma, disability, or mental health needs?
What happens if the person causing harm is a supervisor, coworker, or customer?
Financial and academic/employment protections
If a survivor has to take medical leave, will their financial aid, benefits, or scholarship be protected?
Will they be supported in making up missed classes, meetings, or work without punishment?
Does the school or workplace have options for reduced hours, remote learning or work, or other flexible support?
Data and transparency
Are public records or statistics available on past reports, outcomes, or institutional response?
Do they acknowledge previous harm or coverups, and show evidence of change?
If you are supporting someone else—such as a child, employee, student, or loved one—these questions can help guide conversations and hold institutions accountable. If you are advocating for yourself, you do not need permission. You are allowed to speak up, ask questions, and expect protection.
Advocacy should never be limited to those who are already believed, privileged, or resourced enough to demand change. And no one should have to go through this alone.
For more support:
Gender-based violence is not caused by one bad person—it’s made possible by the systems, cultures, and institutions that ignore warning signs, silence survivors, and protect those who cause harm. To create lasting change, we need more than individual safety tips or one-time awareness events. We need schools, workplaces, and communities to take responsibility for the environments they create—and the lives affected by them.
At school
Schools should protect students, not just with policies, but with action. That include
Investigating reports of abuse, harassment, or stalking seriously and without delay
Offering accommodations and long-term support for survivors
Creating cultures of accountability, where power does not shield harm
Implementing meaningful prevention—not just check-the-box presentations, but trauma-informed, inclusive education on boundaries, consent, safety, and healthy relationships
According to the CDC, one-time programs have little long-term impact. Prevention that works must be sustained, developmentally appropriate, and culturally relevant. It must also meet the needs of disabled, LGBTQ+, and neurodivergent students—not just those who fit traditional models.
Federal law requires colleges and universities to have prevention programs in place for sexual assault, domestic and dating violence, and stalking. But many still rely on brief videos or outdated materials. As Know Your IX explains, the current version of Title IX continues to make reporting difficult and retraumatizing. Schools must do better.
To learn more about the laws that shape campus safety and student rights, visit the Clery Center, Title IX, or DFSCA.
At work
Workplaces are not immune to abuse. Many survivors face stalking, sexual harassment, or intimate partner violence on the job—and few feel safe enough to report it. Employers can help by:
Training supervisors to recognize abuse and respond with care
Providing paid leave, flexible hours, or remote options for survivors
Establishing clear anti-retaliation policies
Offering Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) that are trauma-informed
Making physical spaces safer through design, access, and communication accommodations
Like schools, workplaces have a legal obligation to respond under laws like Title VII. But legal compliance is only the beginning. Every employer has the power to create a culture that centers safety, not silence.
As a community
Communities shape what is considered normal—and what is allowed to continue. As neighbors, family members, teachers, and community leaders, we can help by:
Listening to survivors without disbelief or judgment
Challenging jokes, media, or attitudes that normalize violence
Teaching children early that care does not mean control
Creating public spaces where people feel safe—not watched, followed, or dismissed
Supporting prevention work by trauma-informed, survivor-led organizations
What Voicelore is doing
Our advocacy program, The Resounding, will help drive this cultural shift through music. With original songs, school programs, creative projects, and public storytelling, The Resounding will:
Raise awareness about gender-based violence through powerful, truth-telling music
Equip young people with tools for healthy relationships using song and dialogue
Support survivors in reclaiming their voice and their space through creative expression
Challenge institutions to prioritize safety over reputation by amplifying survivor-led messages
We will also fund prevention-focused music education. Through our partnership with Once Upon a Voice—an online studio that teaches singing, songwriting, and music production through a trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming lens—Voicelore will support student projects and scholarships that help young people build the confidence, language, and creativity to express themselves and respect others.
Abuse thrives in silence. Prevention begins when communities speak up, show up, and refuse to treat harm as inevitable.
Sources for further reading:
Let’s build a future where everyone feels safe in their schools, homes, workplaces, and communities—not just lucky.