About Mirror Memoirs

About Mirror Memoirs

Mirror Memoirs is an oral history project centering the narratives, healing and leadership of LGBTQ survivors of color in the movement to end child sexual abuse.

The US Centers for Disease Control estimates 20% of all adults (1 in 4 female-assigned-at-birth and 1 in 6 male-assigned-at-birth people) experience rape or sexual abuse by an older child or an adult by the age of 18.

New studies suggest that gender non-conforming children may be at even greater risk. In fact, a 2011 study of more than 1,000 transgender people found over 50% had experienced sexual violence at some point in their lives, and of those who were adult sexual violence survivors, 72% had also survived child sexual abuse.

This project uses storytelling and survivor leadership to illuminate the needs and wisdom of survivors at this vulnerable intersection that has not been widely discussed.

Founded by survivor-activist Amita Swadhin, Mirror Memoirs has been made possible by a fellowship from the Just Beginnings Collaborative.

From 2016-2017, Amita will:

  • collect at least 50 audio recordings from fellow LGBTQ child sexual abuse survivors of color; create an online audio archive;
  • release a report educating philanthropists, direct service providers and policymakers on the needs of survivors at the intersections of oppression; and
  • host a convening for LGBTQ survivors of color to grieve, heal and strategize in community (with a separate track for allies)