Each Monday night at 9pm EST I host #domesticviolencechat on Twitter. If you’re a survivor (male or female), you’re welcome to join us every week as we discuss the intricacies of abuse and surviving it. Each week we talk about a different aspect of abuse, and it’s amazing to see all of us come together to support one another.

This week, however, the topic of the holiday season came up. Most survivors know that the holiday season can be the hardest time of year for us, as violence spikes between Thanksgiving and Christmas, and often – after we’ve left – this time of year comes with heavy reminders of our pasts.

However, I like to think we’ve all grown in ways that we’re better able to cope with our memories. Last week we talked about coping strategies, and many of the participants shared their own techniques in hopes that they could help someone else find a new way to help them heal and recover from triggers. Needless to say, the combination of the last two topics lead me to a new idea tonight on the chat, and I’m VERY excited to share it here, too.

Welcome to the social media campaign #survivorsgiveback.

What is it?

Keep reading.

For the next two weeks we are running a campaign on Twitter called ‪#‎survivorsgiveback‬ in which anyone who has survived abuse can use the hashtag, if they are showing ways they’ve supported the community and helped it heal.

If you’ve helped trauma victims at a shelter, donated toys to the children of survivors or spent time w/ someone who needed to vent, use the hashtag and show our strength. To show that, even when some people believe us to be broken, we can heal by healing others.

Two weeks of awesomeness. This week I’ve decided I’ll do one thing every day to make sure I’m contributing to a different charity/cause (while using the hashtag #survivorsgiveback). Let’s make it go viral. Let’s show what survivor strength actually looks like. It’s time to unsilence the violence, but it’s also time to help others. I’m so very excited about this movement. I sure hope you’ll join us.

So, there you have it. An idea born.

Please, please, please tell your survivor friends about the social media campaign. You’re welcome to use the hashtag on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram. Actually, just use it anywhere you can. Because, if you’re using it, then we’re getting more and more help to those who truly need it this holiday season.

Never forget there are people who can benefit from your generosity, your time and compassion. Especially this time of year.

Until next week, I love each of you.