A program for survivors to take back their voice.

Heartly House’s Survivor Speakers Bureau is a program that aims to equip survivors with storytelling, creative writing, public speaking, and self-care skills they can utilize in their speaking efforts and beyond, while also providing awareness, education, and prevention of power-based violence in the Frederick community.

Request a Speaker

The goals of the Survivor Speakers Bureau are to:

  • Empower survivors
  • Provide skill-building workshops
  • Compensate survivors financially
  • Expand community awareness and education

Advocates Learn by Listening

The first step to learning about power-based violence is to listen to experts and survivors themselves. Our Survivor Speakers program addresses ways to help survivors of power-based violence, including but certainly not limited to:

 

  • Domestic violence
  • Child abuse
  • Sexual abuse
  • Human trafficking

Request a Survivor Speaker

Heartly House’s Survivor Speaker Bureau members are available for public speaking workshops to teach and empower. If you would like to request one of our experts to speak at your event for your group or organization, please fill out the survey to gather more information about your event.

Request a Speaker

Hear from our Advocates

Is your organization or group looking to learn more about power-based violence, how to spot warning signs of abuse, and how to support survivors?

Our highly-trained guest speakers share their stories and guidance on how to best support survivors. Heartly House knows every survivor’s experience is different, and every survivor can add to our understanding of the problem of power-based violence.

Where to Find Our Advocates

We are based in Frederick, Maryland, and our Survivor Speakers have shared their experiences as domestic violence survivors for a variety of organizations throughout Maryland, West Virginia, Northern Virginia, and the greater Washington D.C. area.

Our speakers have worked with:

Previous Participant Feedback

Hear How Our Speakers Make A Difference

“Hearing firsthand from a survivor was truly impactful along with the additional supports and services that HH offers.”

“Our Survivor Speaker was phenomenal. She was engaging, reflective and transparent. Her story was eye opening on so many levels. My only regret is that I didn’t reach out to Heartly House sooner.”

“Since our visit from Heartly House, my team has been attentive and engaged with the needs of patients in abusive relationships. They are more aware of different types of abuse. They feel empowered to offer support and feel a connection to an organization outside the military. We appreciate you and all that you do!”

“100% of participants strongly agreed they know how to better support survivors in our community.”

Become a Survivor Speaker

Are you interested in becoming a speaker for keynote events and groups looking to learn about domestic violence and abuse survivor advocacy? Our in-depth training is tailored to prepare you for sharing your story with others to bring awareness, education, and prevention of power-based violence.

Prospective SSB Member form

Get Involved with Domestic Violence Survivor Advocacy

1. Submit an Interest Form

We ask that each prospective Survivor Speaker complete a short 15-minute survey to gauge their interest in speaking for Heartly House.

2. Meet Virtually with Heartly House Staff

A Heartly House representative will virtually meet with each prospective Survivor Speaker to further gauge interest and answer any questions.

3. Attend 6 Speaker Training Workshops

A Heartly House representative will virtually meet with each prospective Survivor Speaker to further gauge interest and answer any questions.

4. Graduate from the Program

Prospective Survivor Speakers who have attended all workshops will graduate as official members and will be eligible to speak at Heartly House events!

5. Get Involved with Speaking Opportunities

Occasions include annual Heartly House events, donor and community gatherings, educational trainings, and more.

Disclaimer: Survivors do not need to be former clients of Heartly House to engage in the program; however, it is encouraged that each survivor has gone through a professional form of healing.

Upcoming Session Training Dates

Training dates will be updated prior to the start of the next session.