There’s something you need to know about how survivors are treated after they speak out. It doesn’t always look like disbelief.It doesn’t always look
There’s something you need to know about how survivors are treated after they speak out.
It doesn’t always look like disbelief.
It doesn’t always look like yelling or threats.
Sometimes, it shows up dressed in politeness, concern, or “just trying to help.”
It’s called narrative control—and it’s one of the most common ways Survivors are silenced.
💬 What Is Narrative Control?
Narrative control is when people try to reshape or take over your story—especially when your truth makes them uncomfortable.
It sounds like:
“She stayed, so it couldn’t have been that bad.”
“He’s a good guy, he just made a mistake.”
“Let’s not bring that up—it’ll just cause more drama.”
“She’s probably just bitter because the relationship ended.”
“We don’t talk about that in this family.”
And just like that, your story gets stolen.
Twisted. Dismissed.
Edited to make someone else feel better.
🧠 Why Do People Do It?
Narrative control gives people comfort, distance, and power.
They don’t have to believe something hard.
They don’t have to admit that someone they trusted caused harm.
They don’t have to act, intervene, or change.
And they don’t have to sit with the truth you had the courage to speak.
It’s not always malicious—but it’s always harmful.
💥 For Survivors, Narrative Control Feels Like:
Being gaslit again
Being cast as the villain in your own story
Having your pain “fact-checked” by people who weren’t there
Watching people rally around your abuser while you’re still picking up the pieces
🛑 Let’s Tell the Truth
Narrative control is not care.
It is not accountability.
It is not healing.
It is one more form of control—this time, over your words, your memories, and your voice.
🗝️ So here’s what every Survivor needs to know:
✨ Your story belongs to you.
✨ You do not need to co-sign anyone’s comfort plan.
✨ You do not need to water down the truth for the people who let you suffer silently.
✨ And you do not have to debate, explain, or apologize for naming what happened.
When a Survivor tells their truth, they are reclaiming authorship over their own life.
The rest of us?
We need to learn how to listen without rewriting.
How to believe without trying to fix.
How to support without taking the pen out of her hands.
🖋️ Reflection Prompt:
“When have you felt your story being rewritten by someone else?
What did they change or erase?
What would it look like to take the pen back—and write the truth in your own voice?”
#WeSurviveAbuse
#NarrativeControl
#SurvivorVoicesMatter
#TellYourTruth
#BelieveHer
#ThisIsHerStoryNotYours
