Break The Silence Sunday Dear Survivor Project (June 2025)

Many survivors of rape & sexual violence struggle with not being believed, feelings of shame and guilt, and struggles with a negative body image.

Survivors of faith also struggle with questions about the wholeness and holiness of their bodies and souls after the violence and abuse they experienced. Many also have questions about where God was in their moments of greatest despair  and if God is with them, could still possibly love them after all they’ve experienced.

This project seeks to collect letters of support and encouragement for survivors from those who follow Jesus, to offer a voice of love from the church which has so often been silent or perpetuated the victim blaming and shaming of the society around us.

You’re invited to write…

a letter, a poem, a song, a few words of phrases…

Or create…

a work of art (drawing, painting, something else)

Don’t panic. We know this is a hard thing to do, and we’re not looking for masterworks. All this needs is to be words from your heart, words of love and care for the survivors in our communities.

Our hope is that all these letters & works of art will comfort our siblings and help them know that the love of God that embraces all hurting souls and honors the sacredness of every body.

How To Do It

• You can write by hand or type and send a document, photo or scan to our email at breakthesilencesunday@gmail.com
• At the UCC’s General Synod (2025 in Kansas City), you’ll also be able to visit our booth in the exhibit hall and write or type on our tablet, or scan a QR code for upload.

Important Notes

• Letters will be gathered and posted on our website (breakthesilencesunday.org) and hopefully published in a collection
• This is an ongoing project, but if you like or need a deadline, we’d like to collect the first batch of letters by July 31, 2025
• You are not required to sign your name … a pseudonym is just fine, and you can remain anonymous as well, signing something like “a friend in faith”

Don’t know what to say? Here’s a couple of examples (more coming)…

Dear Survivor,

I’m sorry. I believe you. This shouldn’t have happened. I know God loves you, and if that’s hard for you to believe, I’ll believe it for both of us until you’re ready. Sincerely, your friend from church

Dear Survivor,

I am a survivor too. Just writing this takes a lot out of me. But I wanted to write this note because it took me far too long to be able to say it. To myself. To you. To anyone. I lived in an invisible prison of my own shame and pain for so long I forgot that what happened to me wasn’t always a part of me, and when I began to remember, I didn’t know what to do. I needed someone to tell me that I could believe in myself, that I had the power to take my story back, live my life, and use my voice. If you are like me, then this note is just for you. If you are still here, you have what it takes to find the peace and the healing you need. I don’t know you but I know some things. You don’t deserve the bad things that have happened to you. You are fabulous and powerful. You are more than you know. Life is amazing. Fight for the life you deserve. Don’t stop until you find it , and when you do, you will know, and it will be worth it. Believe in yourself. You have the power to take your story back, live your life, and use your voice. 

Sincerely, Rob Van Ess