Successful nonprofit fundraising is often found through storytelling, a powerful rendition of the impacts an organization can make through its mission. When applied to victim advocacy organizations, even the most survivor oriented nonprofit can unintentionally revictimize the very individuals they’re hoping to help.  

Survivors of violence, either those who received services from the organization themselves, or nonprofit staff, are pushed to share their stories in the name of philanthropy. Without a doubt, nonprofit storytelling is an essential tool to encourage donors, but how can we promote ethical storytelling in a way that recognizes the detrimental impacts a survivor may face in the process. While we’re quick to criticize the way trauma, victimization, and survivorship are portrayed in the media, we’re reluctant to examine the way our own portrayals might affect those we’re trying to serve. With accusations of nonprofits creating “poverty porn” or “parading trauma”, do the ends really justify the means? 

Detrimental Impacts of Storytelling on the Survivor 

When survivors of trauma are chosen to share their story, several factors are considered. How long has it been since the individual stopped receiving services? The magic number for many organizations is a year. How will their story impact donors? Is this individual emotionally prepared to share their story? Approaching a survivor for storytelling usually involves telling them the benefits of sharing. For most survivors, storytelling is an empowering experience, offering the opportunity to own their experiences, share their triumph in healing, and give back to those that helped them. 

Where we fail as organizations, is the ability to offer support when storytelling is less than empowering. We are placing too much emphasis on the separation of survivors from support services, as if it serves as an accurate measure of an individual’s ability to safely disclose. Survivors of trauma, especially those of child abuse, sexual assault, and domestic violence, should be encouraged to receive support whenever they may need it. These survivors may face things in their day to day life that trigger them. With new relationships or experiences, survivors are often forced to share the most vulnerable parts of themselves.  

Healing from trauma is a lifelong experience. Even survivors who have shared their story repeatedly, can feel overwhelmed by the feelings of vulnerability that follow. It can take days or even weeks to feel normal again. This change isn’t indicative of an individual’s lack of readiness, it is a normal part of the healing process. We need to be transparent with survivors about how the experience may impact them and be prepared to offer support throughout the process. 

Donors want to know how their dollar directly impacts program participants in a way that feels meaningful, but healing needs to stay at the front of this process. When the significance of an organization is hard to measure in tangible numbers, it is best portrayed through a story. Nonprofits may approach those they feel have been most successful in their healing or those with stories they view as most impactful. Where this becomes problematic, is when emphasis is placed on remembering the individual’s trauma and not on remembering the mission. This is when survivors are left vulnerable to those who are not compassionate to their story, as the weight has been placed on the validity of their experience rather than the success of the organization. 

Suggestions for Ethical Storytelling 

Be transparent with survivors about the detrimental impacts of storytelling. Let survivors know that the sharing process can be taxing, and not everyone will receive their story with compassion. Any overwhelming feelings are not a sign of a failure in the healing journey. 

Have a plan in place to provide continued support for storytellers. While it’s not bad to recommend that survivors wait a year after completion of services to share their story, be ready to offer additional support throughout the storytelling process. Meet with the survivor before the disclosure and reassure them that any feelings that may arise are valid. Take initiative, and have a check-in meeting already scheduled afterwards to make sure the survivor has the support they need if the storytelling process feel traumatizing.  

Maintain that healing is the primary goal. No matter where the individual is in their survivorship, let them know they will not be punished for needing extra support services. If the individual is an employee of the nonprofit organization, this is especially vital. Ensure that your employees know you honor their healing as part of the storytelling process. If disclosing their experience brings up overwhelming feelings of vulnerability, let them know how and where they can receive the support they deserve.  

Share the negative effects of storytelling with your donors. Remind your donors that it is not easy to share your story, no matter how many times you’ve done it or how long it has been since the victimization occurred. Teach your donors what healing looks like throughout a survivor’s lifetime. 

Have an awareness of the imbalance of power that exists between your organization (the facilitator) and the storyteller. Limit the potential for revictimization by reviewing the survivor’s story with them beforehand. Identify the areas they feel most vulnerable speaking about and work to find ways to make them feel safer. Encourage survivors to only share what they feel safe doing, and remind them they are not disappointing anyone by not telling everything. 

While nonprofit storytelling provides an opportunity to connect with your donors, remember to also use this as an opportunity to connect with your survivor. Their story doesn’t end when they leave center stage at your fundraising event, it will continue to evolve throughout their lifetime. The way you, your donors, and your organization support them will continue to shape their journey in healing. Their success is your success, but only if you don’t fail them first. 

Averi Jones is a survivor of sexual violence and victim advocate. She is a PhD candidate in anthropology at the University of Montana.