A hard part of healing isn’t knowing what you’ve been through; it’s finding somewhere to say it where it doesn’t require an explanation first. It’s nice not to explain why and how for a change. It would be great to have a room full of people who already understand. Where you don’t have to justify why something hurt or convince anyone it was real. That kind of space can be harder to find than it should be.
The Resilient Blueprint is a resource site I built as a survivor for those who are safe and trying to make sense of what comes next.
What It Is
Speak Your Truth Today (SYTT) is a private Facebook support group for survivors of domestic violence and abuse, founded in 2019 by Hannah Hollander, herself a survivor, after a personal post about her abusive marriage was shared over 123,000 times. The group has grown to more than 18,000 members worldwide and is now backed by a registered US nonprofit. It is free to join and available globally to anyone with a Facebook account. The group is moderated around the clock by a volunteer team with lived experience, and is inclusive of all genders. Because it lives inside Facebook, a Facebook account and login are required. It is not an anonymous space.
Why It’s Here
There’s something that happens when you read someone else’s words and think, “That is exactly it.” Not a clinical explanation, just another person who was in a similar situation, describing it the way you would describe it.
SYTT is a large, active community. The moderation is consistent, which matters; big online communities without active oversight can quickly become unsafe, and this one is run by people who understand why that matters. The founder built it because she needed it herself, and that origin story shaped the culture of the group. It’s a place to start putting words to things, particularly if you’re already on Facebook and the barrier to entry needs to be low right now.
How It Works
- Search for the group on Facebook or use the link from SYTT’s website at speakyourtruth. You’ll request to join and answer four short questions before being approved as a member
- Once approved, you can read posts, share your own experience, comment on others, and engage with shared resources and educational content
- The group is private. Your membership and posts are not visible to your general Facebook connections, but you are not anonymous; your Facebook profile is attached to your participation.
- Moderation is active, and the group is monitored around the clock by volunteers
Who This Is For and Who It Might Not Be For
This might resonate if you:
- Are already on Facebook and want a way to start connecting with other survivors without setting up a separate account or platform.
- Are at the stage where reading other people’s experiences, and being able to respond, feels more manageable than talking out loud about your own.
- Want a large, active community where conversation is happening constantly, and you’re unlikely to post into silence.
It might not be the right fit if:
- Privacy from your Facebook network matters to you. While the group is private, it is linked to your Facebook identity, which may feel uncomfortable depending on your situation
- You prefer a space designed specifically for post-abuse rebuilding. SYTT includes members at all stages, including those still in difficult situations, which shapes the tone of the conversation.
- You’re looking for professional guidance or therapeutic structure alongside the community. This is peer support only, moderated by volunteers.
