From Wound to Witness
When you’ve been through bullying, emotional abuse, or psychological manipulation, it’s easy to internalize the pain and identify only as the victim. For a long time, I did too, until I realized that my power was not in the wound, but in becoming the witness.
I didn’t just survive what happened to me. I saw it. I documented it. And now I speak, not to relive my pain, but to ensure the people who harmed me can never hurt anyone else again.
Why Becoming the Witness Matters
#1 Shifting from Victim to Advocate
When you identify as the wound, you live in the place of hurt. When you identify as the witness, you move into a position of strength — one where you can educate others about the patterns of abuse and manipulation.
#2 Documentation Protects Others
In cases of relational bullying or social bullying, having clear evidence — texts, screenshots, emails, timelines — not only validates your experience but also prevents those individuals from harming others in silence.
#3 Accountability Changes the Cycle
Bullying thrives in secrecy. Sharing your story and your evidence breaks that silence and forces a conversation that systems often try to avoid.
What I Learned About Systemic Failure
When I needed help from law enforcement and individuals in positions of authority, people who were legally obligated to protect me, they didn’t. Instead, they used the mental, emotional, and psychological abuse I was experiencing to justify protecting my abusers.
This is why I tell my story now: to shine a light on the failure of those systems, and to make it impossible for anyone to look the other way.
How to Step Into the Role of Witness
If you’ve experienced bullying or abuse, here’s how you can shift from wound to witness:
- Document everything: screenshots, emails, written logs.
- Recognize patterns: the same tactics often appear in different situations.
- Share when ready: your story can be the warning sign that saves someone else.
- Set boundaries: protect your energy and your voice.
The pain didn’t break me — it built the staircase.
And I intend to walk up to the podium and share everything that was done so it never happens to another person again.
I’m not the wound. I’m the witness. And that changes everything.
