April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month! Wellspring staff, Board members, and volunteers, including members of Men With Wellspring, have compiled a playlist full of powerful songs that highlight some of the many emotions experienced by those impacted by sexual assault.
Please note: many of these songs contain references to sexual assault and abuse, and may evoke strong emotions for listeners. While we know there are many songs that give voice to the pain and rage of sexual assault, with this playlist, we have selected songs that we hope will tell a story of a survivor’s experience that culminates in hope and freedom.
Want to talk to us? Call our 24/7 hotline anytime at 518-583-0280.
- Don’t You Want Me – The Human League
- From our staff: “The lyrics ‘But don’t forget it’s me who put you where you are now / And I can put you back down’ speak to the dynamics of someone in control abusing their power.”
- Wolves – Jensen McRae
- A song about predatory dynamics in society.
- Gaslighter – The Chicks
- A song addressing an abuser about what they’ve done.
- Fear – Blue October
- A song about believing in yourself despite your fear.
- Paralyzed – Against the Current
- This song dives deep into the feeling of being paralyzed by trauma… and coming out on the other side.
- Praying – Kesha
- From our staff: “One of my favorites. Kesha was sexually assaulted by her former music producer and wrote this song in response.”
- Til It Happens to You – Lady Gaga
- A song that speaks to how people respond to survivors and tell them how to handle their trauma.
- Kristy, Are You Doing Okay? – The Offspring
- A song from the perspective of someone whose loved one has experienced trauma.
- I Believe You – FLETCHER
- From our staff: “This song is about listening to, and believing, survivors.”
- Hold My Hand – Lady Gaga
- Lady Gaga reminds us that we are never alone.
- Flares – The Script
- From our volunteer: “This song gets into alternating feelings of despair, to finding hope or support in something, in whatever form it can come.”
- Rescue – Lauren Daigle
- This song reminds us that there is hope even in the darkness.
- Fight Song – Rachel Platten
- Rachel’s most well-known song about never giving up the fight.
- Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You) – Kelly Clarkson
- From our staff: “The title of this song says it all.”
- Warrior – Demi Lovato
- Demi sings about the trauma in her past and the strength it takes to move on.
- Your Power – Billie Eilish
- From our staff: “The main message is asking people of authority to stop abusing their power.”
- Unstoppable – Sia
- A song about strength and overcoming trauma.
- Survivor – Destiny’s Child
- A powerful message about not giving up.
- Rise – Katy Perry
- Though written with the Olympics in mind, Katy Perry’s song about overcoming obstacles is a powerful reminder to rise above.
- Rainbow – Kesha
- Kesha sings about finding a rainbow after the storm.
- Heal – Tom Odell
- A powerful song about healing.
- Hands Clean – Alanis Morissette
- From a volunteer: “This song is about her experience with sexual assault… the lyrics speak for themselves.”
- Unwritten – Natasha Bedingfield
- An inspiring song about new beginnings.
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