Consider the shift in public perception regarding HIV/AIDS in the 1980s versus the 2010s. Early campaigns focused on mortality rates and transmission graphs. Stigma remained high. It was only when survivors like Ryan White and activists in ACT UP told their stories—showing faces, names, and human dignity—that the public began to see people rather than vectors .

Survivor Stories | Survivor Advocates for Empowerment (SAFE)

One notable example is the #MeToo movement, which began as a social media campaign where survivors of sexual harassment and assault shared their stories using a hashtag. The movement quickly went viral, sparking a global conversation about consent, accountability, and support for survivors.

Survivors must have total control over how their story is used and where it is shared.