SAFE EXIT

Survivor Leadership Cohort

Centering the voices and experiences of survivors is foundational to the work of preventing and healing from violence. In our effort to be led by survivors and value their lived experience as expertise, the National Health Resource Center on Domestic Violence (HRC) launched a one-of-a-kind leadership opportunity comprised solely of survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) , called the Survivor Leadership Cohort (SLC).

The SLC is a yearlong program consisting of a cohort of 10 survivors of IPV who bring invaluable experiences and are interested in advocating for a more trauma-informed healthcare system. The participants are selected through a competitive application process and have diverse experiences and identities.

SLC goals are to:

  1. Promote meaningful community and connection among survivors;
  2. Promote skill and leadership development; and 
  3. Develop resources to support survivors in ways that truly honor, lift up, and center lived experience.

“As a professional advocate, I have never had space to center my survivorship. Centering my survivorship feels like a privilege, when this really should be a part of me. I appreciate not having to apologize for being me.”

– 2022-2023 SLC Alumni

Cohort members have expressed that their participation was a transformative experience that exceeded expectations and that they felt safe, seen, heard, affirmed, and cared for throughout the experience. 

Learn more about the Inaugural Survivor Leadership Cohort experience. 

Meet the 2022-2023 Inaugural SLC members.

FUTURES is proud and excited to launch the second annual cohort starting in October 2023! Applications open June 7, 2023 through July 7, 2023. For more information and to apply to the 2023-2024 Survivor Leadership Cohort, click here.

For questions, please email Anisa Ali: aali@futureswithoutviolence.org.