On Sunday, June 2nd, our team partnered up with Sephora at their Valley Fair location to hold a private event dedicated to providing free makeovers to survivors of domestic violence, rape, and sexual assault and presenting Safe Squad as a preventative resource. This is event is especially notable given that it was a first for both Safe Squad and Sephora. As the classes, that Sephora typically offers are dedicated to Brave Beauty in the Face of Cancer, Bold Beauty for the Transgender Community and Workforce. It was a truly special and touching event. It was our goal to provide a mutually inclusive space and allow survivors to have the proper platform to share their stories and spark conversations, with an event that was exclusively for survivors by survivors including artists and staff members. Where Safe Squad publicly launched its website and teased the releasing of our app this summer, taking the time to also educate on how to download and utilize it to be easily incorporated into one’s daily life. It was empowering to hear these stories of overcoming adversity. We want to celebrate these strong women, who despite facing a traumatic event chose to take back their life.
Where Safe Squad publicly launched its website and teased the releasing of our app this summer, taking the time to also educate on how to download and utilize it to be easily incorporated into one’s daily life. It was empowering to hear these stories of overcoming adversity. We want to celebrate these strong women, who despite facing a traumatic event chose to take back their life.
The room was filled with glowing faces and gleeful smiles, surrounded by such an ambiance of confidence and warmth. Which proves that confidence is the key to healing. After traumatic life events such as these, one’s self-esteem can plummet, alongside the struggle to feel confident in your own skin. For many, the event allowed them to feel uplifted, encouraged to remain persistent, and recognize that beauty isn’t just about looking beautiful, it’s about feeling beautiful too and projecting that to the world by radiating confidence. “Because you glow different when you’re doing better!”
Survivor Quotes
“Sharing with others allowed me to lift the weight bringing me down.”
Survivor of Human Trafficking
“Inspirational event!”
Survivor of Domestic Violence
“This is the definition of true sisterhood.”
Survivor of Sexual Assault
“ For a long time, I struggled to feel beautiful after I was raped. I didn’t want to be viewed as a victim. I felt impure and unworthy. Then I realized I had a choice to either let what happened define me and my self-worth. Or I could harness my power and change narrative. From that point came to accept my body and embraced it. Scars and all. (Both emotional and physical ) My scars are a reminder of all I have endured. I am no longer ashamed. I wear them like a badge of honor. Because I know am beautiful, radiant and worthy. And that Beauty comes from within and not how you perceive you.”
Mercedes Molloy, CEO of Safe Squad and Survivor of Rape
Survivor Quotes
“It’s ok to fall apart, it doesn’t mean you’re broken. It means we’re human. In gathering together we have confided in one another and have found comfort in our shared experience. Even though the reason we are here is not a good one. I am thankful for the opportunity to put this event together and to have met so many inspirational women. You are the reason we do this.”
Mercedes Molloy, CEO of Safe Squad and Survivor of Rape
“This means more than you could ever know.”
Survivor of Human Trafficking
” Tomorrow I confront my abuser, now I will rise above and do it with strength. From this event, I have come to recognize that I am a Phoenix rising from the ashes. Here I have found endless support. And have forged relationships today which will transcend the event.”
Survivor of Domestic Violence
” I am liberated from my past ”
Survivor of Sexual Assault
“As a survivor of rape and sexual assault, the event opened my eyes to the fact that I am not only strong but worthy and victorious. My healing process hasn’t been easy, but learning about what others have gone through and learning that is going to help me grow and heal as time goes on. Safe Squad provided a safe space for people to share their experiences and Sephora made me feel like a queen and it felt nice to be treated as such. And I 100% stand by those words, I think Safe Squad is so important for people to have.”
Survivor of rape and sexual assault
This event simply wouldn’t have been possible without Sephora Valley Fair for providing their space, time and resources for the makeovers. A special thank you to Sephora Cares, Sugarfina, and Ashby Confections for composing our gift bags to give to the survivors as a farewell! Our custom Donut’s where made by Tart and Tin who has been featured in Martha Stewart weddings.
Safety should never come at a cost to anyone and no one should ever have to feel endangered. But sadly, we live in a world where travesties can happen daily. CDC reports that more than 1 in 3 women and nearly 1 in 4 men have experienced sexual violence involving physical contact at some point in their lives with nearly 80% of rapes and sexual assaults going underreported. This just shows how violence against both women and men are extremely common and the urgency to stand up against this to not only prevent and fight this but get the justice needed.
The #MeToo Movement made its mark on this world in 2017 and now, inspiring and prompting millions of survivors to speak out about their experiences with sexual assault and harassment. But the movement still has a long way to go. Tarana Burke, the founder of #MeToo movement and a civil rights activist, even states that at one point, the focus shifted majority on the issue of Hollywood perpetrators with mostly white female celebrities speaking out on their experiences with sexual assault and misconduct. Tarana further discusses that there are millions of voices going unnoticed, such as women of color, indigenous women and minorities, trans women, queer women, et cetera, with their stories being untold. Survivors have longed to see themselves being represented in an everyday capacity. There is no doubt that the movement has made such an impactful and positive global change to the world, giving a platform to survivors to no longer be held silent and voice their stories to the world! But we must see that the movement continuously evolve to be intersectional, to have survivors represented, to share to the world their stories, to charge towards justice, and that means we all fight and unite to create change.
In conclusion, safety is a fundamental right each and every person deserves and the importance of safety cannot be overstated. This is exactly why Safe Squad was created! To ensure safety in the community at large, especially helping those who are in vulnerable situations through a free mobile application available to everyone. For us to be prepared and give us that peace of mind knowing that we have a tool to help protect our loved ones and ourselves. And we can’t wait to launch it this summer to your availability.
