Home – The HEAL Project

The HEAL Project is a BOPIC-led, Trans/Nonbinary-led, and Survivor-led educational initiative using media to prevent and end Childhood Sexual Abuse (CSA) through healing the wounds of sexual oppression and embracing sexual liberation. Learn More here.

A large graphic recording, the top half of the image has a dark blue background that gradients to blue then white. There are yellow stars randomly placed in the blue area. In the top left corner, there is pink and black text that reads, “Sexy Survivor. 10 Year Anniversary.” Underneath this, there is a quartz crystal with a black circle behind it. On top of the crystal on a light blue banner there is black text that reads, “I am… & a survivor of…” Around the crystal there is yellow text that reads, “white supremacy, xenophobia, carceral feminism, intimate partner violence, what words honor your experience? CSA, foster care, chronic illness, juvenile incarceration.” Underneath this, there are sketches of 6 different individuals. Going from left to right, the first individual has short black hair, hoop earrings and a white tank top. The second individual has white hair and a white t-shirt. The third individual has long white hair in a braid and glasses. The fourth individual has short white hair and is wearing a collared shirt. The fifth individual is wearing a baseball cap that says ACE, has long white hair, and a white v-neck t-shirt. The last individual has a long white braid and is wearing a choker and white shirt. Underneath them, there is black text that describes the audience at Sexy Survivor that reads, “Afro, Caribbean, parent, queer, southerner, trans lesbian, refugee while queer, black queer, indigi-femme, black-trans masc.” To the right of this there is a light pink circle with a light yellow center. On the left side of the circle, there is a yellow triangle that intersects with the circle and then has a jagged line that shoots off of it. In the triangle, there is black writing that reads, “impacts.” In the circle, there are different impacts of sexual violence in black text. They reads as follows, “Intimacy is triggering, repeated patterns, needing control, shrunken world, fear, anxiety, hyper sexuality, aversion to sex, learning how to say “no”, person who harmed me was also harmed." Underneath this, there is a drawing of Aredvi Azad. Aredvi is a genderfluid Irani-American immigrant. They have short dark brown curly hair. They are wearing a septum ring. They are wearing a very short beard. Behind their image, there is a black circle. Around the image, there is the black outline of a circle which is colored in orange with random darker orange circles. In the top left corner of the circle, there is another circle which is a gradient from purple to orange with text that reads, "still angry & I love who I am in spite and because of..." In the circle, there are different quotes from Aredvi, they read, "Aredvi Azad, I was abused in a secret relationship with a woman, in later relationships people were around when I was being physically abused, I give, give, give & unable to ask, I made up for my lack of presence in my body by performing sex acts, alcoholism, nightmares." In the bottom left corner, there is a purple circle with a drawing of Ignacio Rivera. Ignacio is a caramel skin, AFAB, gender fluid, Black-Latinx-Indigenous being. They are wearing red framed glasses and facial hair. In the purple circle, there are darker purple cirlces and text that reads, "Ignacio Rivera, sex & power was easy... I unconsciously avoided full connection, leave, lie, end, 8 years old..., my sister began sexually abusing me, I am learning how to share myself more fully, we talk about adults sexually abusing... WHAT ARE WE NOT TALKING ABOUT?" Between the orange and purple circles, there is a black like that grows as it goes across the page with blue tear drop shapes coming off of it ultimately turning into a black hand with a green outline. There are pink streams coming out of the hand. In the black line, there is white text that reads, "allow intimate vulnerability." To the left of the top of the streams there are 4 circles overlapping and increasing in size. The first and smallest circle is very light orange and has text that reads “self”. The second circle is a light orange and has text that reads, “kin”. The third circle is light pink and has text that reads, “community.” The last and largest circle is light purple and has text that reads, “state.” Around the bottom to the right side there are 5 hands of different skin colors. On top of the circles, there is text that reads, “Sexual healing takes a village. There is also a pink stream that goes to the bottom of the illustration. There is text in this stream that reads, “Opportunity to practice, self compassion, manage, release, heal trigger.More hurt? Trigger? Reparative Experience? Exploration: what is something you don’t allow yourself to be curious about? Curiosity: often crushed in childhood…” To the left of the top of the 4 circles is a web. The web has 4 sections. The first section starts with 2 pink dots and a pink line leading into a pink circle with two smaller orange circles on top of it. Above these circles, there is the text “Origin”. Then going up towards the right, there is a pink line, then 2 pink dots, and a pink line leading into the second section, an orange circle with 5 small circles around it. Around the large circle, there are pink and orange paint strokes resembling the shape of a flower. In the orange circle, there is text that reads, “Practice connection skills.” Around the orange circle, there is text that reads, “self awareness, empathy, communication, Boundary setting, Accountability.” This section then is connected to another pink line and 4 pink dashes. Which leads into the third section which begins with the text, “Ability to navigate relationships.” Extending from the top and bottom of this text is a semi-circle that holds the other three sections. Between origin and practice connection skills is the last section. This section is Boundary setting. It has a yellow circle and pink half circle in the middle with lines and dots coming out of it with text at the end. The text reads, “Not politically correct! Based on need to be well. Feeling crazy? Ask for loved ones' perspectives. Anger can tell us our edges & that’s ok! Can’t always anticipate & that’s okay. Balance of individual in whole relationship. Teach others how to love & respect us.” Underneath this, there are two people. The individual on the right is a caramel skinned being with an undercut and a full lip. They have a tattoo that says "Daddy" and is kissing the ear of the other individual and hugging them. The other person is a light brown skinned being who is shirtless with facial hair and a choker that says "Baby". Around them, there are overlapping circles. Going from left to right, the first one is a purple circle with the text, "Fantasy" above it. In the circle, there is text that reads, "Enjoy fantasy about rape, but don't desire rape." The second circle is orange. It has the text, "Desire" on top of it. In the circle, there is text that reads, "Right conditions? Enjoy oral sex but don't fantasize about it." The third circle is also orange and has the text, "K*nk’ on top of it. In the circle, there is text that reads, "intentional, agreed upon mess with power." The final circle is black with white text that reads, "running towards fear to regain power." Underneath the circles and two people, there is black text that reads, "cultures throughout the world have had k*nk practices..." Underneath this, there is a wave wrapping around the bottom left to the top right. In the wave there is text that reads, "Power distribution is essential for sexual liberation, tiarelani.com @iamtiarelani @sugarscab." On top of the wave, there is black text that reads, "Environmental crisis = sexual violence spikes. In the center of the wave there are blue and green shapes coming out. In the center, there is also text that reads, "Sex can open deep connection to self and others. Higher spiritual meaning." Above the Connection Skill web, there is a green and black scaley tail that extends to the top right corner and leads into three black and green leaves. On the length of the tail, there is black text that reads, "Survivor To Survivor (heart) Hope Is Happening." On top and around the tail, there is a white circle with green, black and pink text that reads, "presence in small doses, breathing, nature, k*nk, age play, ritual masturbation, relationship notes, all of us have done & are doing things to stay alive so that we can... tell those in my life what happened to me as a child, express what I feel & need, experience exquisite joy, experience vulnerability." On the left side of the circle, there is white text that reads, "Beyond monster, Beyond carceral, Beyond forgiveness, learning, change." Underneath the tail there is a white background with a reflection of the tail's scales.

This graphic recording by Tiare Lani captured the essence of our live Sexy Survivor 10 Year Anniversary Webinar on September 18, 2021.

For image description of the graphic recording, click here

Now Introducing: The Rivera-Azad Sexual Healing Integration Model (RASHIM)

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First Pillar: Curiosity & Inquiry

Most of us learn early on to repress our sense of curiosity about bodies, and stop asking questions about sex. Yet, curiosity and inquiry are necessary elements for sexual self-actualization.

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Second Pillar: Fantasy & Desire

Our fantasies rarely get permission to exist without shame, and sometimes even fear. Understanding the difference between fantasy and desire makes the path to sexual healing so much smoother.

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Third Pillar: Masturbation & Body Exploration

Exploring bodies is an effective way of understanding our own sexual and emotional responses. Body awareness and body literacy are vital for sexual integration.

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Fourth Pillar: Health & Reproduction

Sexual and reproductive health is more than pregnancy and STI prevention. If we have a body part, we need to learn how it works so that we can take good care of it.

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Fifth Pillar: Sex & Pleasure

Imagine living in a world where we don't think of sex as inherently exploitative; where pleasure is deemed sacred and appropriate for ALL people.

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Sixth Pillar: Identity & Behavior

Labels are both empowering and limiting. None of us perform our identities to a t, because such a thing does not exist. We get to explore, change our mind, AND our behavior.

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Seventh Pillar: Roles & Power Dynamics

Our relationships constantly interact with power dynamics, whether we notice and name them or not. We aren't bound by our roles; roles are meant to be re-imagined and played with.

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Eighth Pillar: Kink & Fetish

Ask 100 people what kink is and you'll get a 100 different answers. Kink and fetish are big pieces of human sexuality, and everyone can benefit from learning about them, even if they never practice.

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Ninth Pillar: Spirituality & Transcendence

Sex is not just about the body and physical pleasure. Sex has the power to transform our wounds, and transcend our consciousness. Spirituality and sex are not on opposite paths; we can artfully combine the two and journey in different realms.

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Testimonials

"The 'Me Too' Movement has had the pleasure of working with The HEAL Project on several endeavors. As consultants, H2E provided a voice and perspective on our Survivor Healing Curriculum that was expansive and intersectional. Their work in CSA prevention provides great insight on power, sex, and healing." ~ Tarana J. Burke | Founder of 'Me Too' Movement

"I extend my sincere gratitude for Ignacio's visit to the University of Michigan. It was clear that Ignacio's speech and personal experiences were impactful to our students. I personally learned a lot from them and appreciated our interactions for the brief time we had together." ~ Mark Chung Kwan Fan, Assistant Director for Engagement | Spectrum Center

"Thank you so much for your shared space today. I found myself shouting "yes!!" at the screen so many times. Your vulnerability, honesty and lack of filter was so helpful and refreshing, your words were crystal-clear and needed, and I agree that this conversation should be shared with everyone in our movement. I especially loved the ask to reframe how we think about sexual liberation, the challenge to our culture's hierarchy of which types of sexual abuse "should" affect us the most, and the very needed push to extend our view of consent in relationships past merely the sexual. You all are brilliant, vivid and wonderful examples of what thriving can look like." ~Jenna Cohan, Sexual & Domestic Violence Program Coordinator | Oregon Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence

"I really appreciated the space you held for vulnerability and reflection. Thank you for taking care of us as participants. I left with more language for my needs and desires and a renewed intention to reach out to my connections both in gratitude and to ask for what I need. Your work is so appreciated!" ~Fati(they/them) | Workshop Participant

"Thank you so much for your keynote address at our conference! I learned so much, and I’m so grateful for the work you do and how you do it. We really honor your stories and experiences and knowledge, and we thank you for sharing them with us. We received so much positive and meaningful feedback after the session and I could feel how connected people were to it. Thank you again. And thank you to the entire team at The HEAL Project!!" ~Emily Cohen (she/her), Statewide Director of Training | Sexual Assault Center (Nashville, TN)

"Ignacio and Aredvi, I wanted to reach out personally to you and thank you for your incredible session, [Integrating CSA Prevention Into Our Movements For Justice]. It was clear from the feedback that your perspective was a new one for many, and I feel that it was well-received and planted the seeds for advocates to understand how we can start breaking out of our silos and see the interconnectedness of Childhood Sexual Abuse and so many other issues." Gwendolyn Bouchie (she/her), Chief Marketing Officer | Darkness to Light

Now Introducing: The Rivera-Azad Sexual Healing Integration Model (RASHIM)

First Pillar: Curiosity & Inquiry

Second Pillar: Fantasy & Desire

Third Pillar: Masturbation & Body Exploration

Fourth Pillar: Health & Reproduction

Fifth Pillar: Sex & Pleasure

Sixth Pillar: Identity & Behavior

Seventh Pillar: Roles & Power Dynamics

Eighth Pillar: Kink & Fetish

Ninth Pillar: Spirituality & Transcendence

Testimonials

Is Criminalization The Right Response To Domestic Violence?

Young People Talking About Their Abortions Could Change Everything

Maybe Cops Shouldn't Handle Domestic Violence Calls

What Do We Do With Abusers Like R. Kelly If We Abolish Prisons?

The Pandemic Disrupted Sex Ed When Students Needed It Most

Beyond Cancel Culture: How to Hold Each Other Accountable—With Love

How To Get An Abortion If You’re Under 18

Texas Valedictorian Drops Her Commencement Speech To Get Real About State's Anti-Abortion Bill

Better Than Sex Ed: Pop Culture Is Teaching Teens About Sex

The Sex Educators Helping Muslim Women Claim Their Sexuality

To Counter Domestic Violence, Some Native Americans Embrace Tradition

Effects of Childhood Sexual Abuse Echo on for Generations

Sex Education In The United States Is Broken, But It Doesn’t Have To Be.

A Third Grader Drew a Rocket That Looked Like a Penis. She Was Handcuffed and Removed From School.

How to Normalize Talking to Your Kids About Pleasure

To Confront Sexual Violence, We Don’t Need Better Prosecutors — We Need to Abolish Them

Black Families Are Outraged About Family Separation Within The U.S. It’s Time To Listen To Them

Taking a Stand: How Teens Are Working to End Relationship Violence

How Sex Ed Has the Power to Make Social Change

We Should Teach Children About Miscarriage During Sex Ed. Here’s Why.

For Everybody and Their Mama: Sex Ed For All Month

Abolishing Policing Also Means Abolishing Family Regulation

Child Marriage Is Not Consensual: America’s Dirty Little Secret

Sex Education Is Missing Yet Another Crucial Topic. We Need To Fix That.

Comprehensive Sex Education Could Curb Everyone’s Trauma Around Sex

To End Mass Incarceration, We Need to Bust the Myths That Prop It Up

Everything We've Been Doing To Teach Kids About Periods Is Wrong

What To Know About Sexual Orientation And Mental Health In Youth

What I Learned As A MAP's Partner

Sexual Assault Against Boys Is a Crisis

The Child Welfare System Is Another Form Of Discriminatory Policing

Sexual Violence and the Disability Community

The Silence: The Legacy of Childhood Trauma

What Do Abstinence-Only Sex Ed and Rape Culture Have in Common?

Alternatives to Calling the Police for Domestic Violence Survivors

Childhood Abuse Leaves 'Devastating Impact' on Adults

The War On Porn Does Not Help Children

Do We Need to Abolish Child Protective Services?

‘WAP’ and Sex Ed: How the Billboard-Topping Track is ‘Making Conversations About Sexual Health Less Taboo’

What LGBTQ-Positive Sex Ed Should Look Like

Screening May Miss One-quarter of Child Sexual Abuse Cases

Creating Consent-Conscious Holidays

How 5 Transgender Men Really Feel About The #MeToo Reckoning

A Radical New Plan for MeToo Turns Away From “Law and Order” Feminism

Sex Education Referendum 90 Passes In Washington State Election Results

'I felt like a weight was lifted': How I May Destroy You Empowered Sexual Assault Survivors

Aching for Abolition: As a survivor of sexual violence, I know prison isn’t the answer.

The Truth Behind QAnon

Childhood Sexual Abuse: Mental And Physical After-effects Closely Linked

Dear “Psychology Today”: Believe Incest Survivors

Violence Cannot Remedy Violence

'Defund the police' movement could offer sexual assault survivors a different path for justice

Men Who Survived Childhood Sexual Abuse

We Have Already Stopped Calling The Cops

Remote learning returns this fall, and parents should gear up for teaching sex ed

Police Sexual Violence Is Hidden in Plain Sight

Rochdale grooming: 'Why did I get a criminal record when I was a victim?'

Thousands of Migrant Children Were Sexually Abused in U.S. Custody

Pandemic Poses Key Challenges For Preventing Child Sexual Abuse

How We End Over-Policing of Black Children

Why Students Need Sex Education That’s Honest About Racism

Sex Offender Registries Are Fueling Mass Incarceration — And They Aren’t Helping Survivors

Sexual Liberation Calendar

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