Support an Assault Survivor's Healing Journey

May 21st, 2025

Peace to all who are reading this. My name is Shelley Bruce, founder of an organization called The Heart Dept. Because of our network of community organizers and healers, something critical was brought to our attention regarding a community leader, and we are seeking to advocate for her.

Trigger warning: SA, rape and violence

We will be keeping anonymous the name of this survivor, but the following story, individual, and ask is verified by fellow community leaders Yazmin Monet Watkins, Empress Angelique Jackson, Indigo Mateo, Goddess Brittney King, Emeka Chukwurah as well as myself Shelley Bruce. I have been in detailed communication with the survivor for several weeks now.

The Incident

About 3 months ago, a Black woman leader in our community experienced a violent sexual assault. This occurred with someone she knew and was newly dating. She has asked us to explicitly name this incident not just as SA, but as rape, to not further minimize, attempt to soften or erase the horrific tragedy that occurred. This survivor is no longer in the state of California (where we have partnered with her on community work previously). She does have caseworkers and family supporting her through every step of this process, is surrounded by loving friends, yet these support systems do not take away the massively destabilizing and traumatizing season she is currently navigating.

Myself, Shelley Bruce, has been in contact with her on a generally weekly basis to check in on her holistic well-being, and further working on an evolving recovery plan to source communal resources. She’s doing ok but struggles often, and we are now at a stage of healing where financial assistance would be the greatest support to her wellbeing.

The Needs and Ask

Amidst navigating this violent experience, she also lost her housing and is currently seeking safe, secure space. We feel that additional financial assistance will support her move as well as her investing in future therapeutic, cultural and healing tools that she needs. My hopes are that we can additionally fund her attendance to a healing retreat of her choice soon, for her to take a break and simply rest.

The survivor’s expressed list of needs/use for expenses:

mental health services,

relocation support,

lawyer fees,

medical fees,

transportation,

physical therapy, etc.

Our goal of $10,000 or more would adequately cover these costs. We do feel that she is relatively safe in body, and sound in mind and heart. But she continues to navigate extreme challenges that this tragedy has created. She needs community at this time so that she can reach full restoration.

Indigo and Empress have also offered their expertise in these counseling areas to support her one on one, and with access to healing retreats and workshop space.

We ask community at this time to believe Black women,

and to support this fundraiser in any way, shape or form.

Within all of our networks is certainly 10,000 people who have $1 - $10 to give. And certainly within all networks are tens of thousands of people who can share, comment, repost and amplify this message. The woman who I am advocating has for years been in a loyal advocate for the work of The Heart Dept and is a presence of light in many community spaces. It is an honor to support her and support us in helping her.

We will create weekly or bi-weekly updates on this fundraiser and her well-being until we reach the full goal. The gofundme will be hosted by The Heart Dept, and privately transferred to her bank account to protect her identity. We will inform the community of her receiving the funds as they arrive.

Thank you so much in advance for taking the time to read this. I’d especially like to add, that at a time in the news when various Black women are navigating their experiences with violence, sexual assault and abuse, this fundraiser is a sacred opportunity to support someone that we know and love.

These harms will not change until we listen to, believe in, protect and unequivocally support Black women who are survivors…in the specific ways in which they ask.

They/We know what we need.

In love and gratitude,

The Heart Dept, and community

Shelley Bruce

Yazmin Monet Watkins

Indigo Mateo

Empress Angelique Jackson

Goddess Brittney King

Emeka Chukwurah