Using accurate language helps maintain the dignity of survivors and ensures factual reporting. Use "Reported" or "Disclosed": Instead of "alleged" when referring to the assault. Survivor/Victim: Use neutral, respectful terms for the person affected. Perpetrator:

While survivor stories are powerful, they are not a resource to be mined without care. Many awareness campaigns have committed "trauma exploitation"—using a victim’s pain for shock value without offering support or agency.

Survivor Stories and Awareness Campaigns: The Power of Lived Experience in Driving Change

When done poorly, survivor stories can backfire, causing "compassion fatigue" where the audience turns away to avoid emotional pain. When done well, they create a bridge.