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Survivor Speakers Bureau FAQ & Concerns
Questions and concerns for those considering the Survivors Speakers Bureau
Many survivors reach out with interest about the Survivors Speakers Bureau, and we want to make sure we are as transparent as possible throughout the application and training process. Please see below for more information.
- How do I become an SSB Volunteer?
There are a few simple steps toward becoming an SSB Volunteer:
- Review all Requirements, Qualities, Guidelines, and FAQ’s so you get a sense of the program.
- Submit your interest form and a member of our team will reach out to schedule an interview.
- Attend our training and onboarding sessions.
- I want to speak but I’m not sure I’m ready
There are a number of ways that you can determine your readiness to share your story. You can talk to your friends and family as well as the coordinator of the speaker training program that you are considering participating in. Consider how much time has elapsed since your last incidence of sexual violence. Most people wait about 2 years before speaking in public. Allow yourself plenty of time to heal before putting yourself in front of an audience.
- If I want to be an SSB, how do I share my story, how often?
A request for a survivor speaker is called an engagement. All requests and engagement details are handled by the SSB coordinator. Once a request is determined to be appropriate and complete the request goes out to all the SSBs. You get to decide on the engagements you want to volunteer for or not. We ask that you commit to at least one engagement a year. You are welcome to sign up for as many as you want. You get to decide. On average an engagement is 1hr in length, which includes sharing of the survivor story and an audience Q&A. Each engagement usually has two SSBs and a facilitator. Each survivor story is shared for approximately 10 minutes and the Q&A is facilitated by a BARCC staff member or volunteer. Engagements are both virtual and in-person and again you get to decide what you want to do.
- I would speak but I am afraid of my perpetrator. Should I speak or not?
There are many ways to be an activist that don’t include putting your story out into the public. Always err on the side of caution. You can explore ways to let people know your experience anonymously.
- I need to speak because my perpetrator deserves for people to know what they did to me and my family.
In order to be truly effective as a speaker, your main goal must be to educate others. If you feel that you can focus on the needs of the audience, you will be more successful as a speaker. It is policy to not share the name or identifying information of perpetrators, agencies/institutions or others who are involved.
- I think speaking would help me heal.
You will want to be at a place of healing prior to speaking publicly. There are healing aspects to speaking but there can be painful parts as well; particularly if you are not fully prepared.
- I want to speak but there are parts of my story that I don’t want to share.
You have control over what you say during a speaking engagement. You can simply leave out parts of your story (there is no way you could tell your entire story anyway). If you are asked a question by an audience member you don’t want to answer, simply say that you would prefer not to talk about that piece of your story. There is also information that is not appropriate to share in a speaking engagement. Training and practice will help you make these decisions.
If your questions were not answered above, please fill out this form[link to general interest form] and a member of our team will get back to you.
