Out of Bounds
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Behind the Scenes

Out of Bounds

Creating the Out of Bounds series

A note from Carrie Kehring,
President and Founder:

“I have now talked to hundreds upon hundreds of victims/survivors and their parents, going through different parts of the process. I have been there first hand –  having had so many people call me the day after they have been raped, call me to unpack their SafeSport process, legal journey, young girls and minors call me to help them explain to their moms what happened to them. I have heard and seen them go through and share about the range of therapeutic modalities they have sought for help and healing.

When I looked at the information on the systems and recovery for victims/survivors, I felt and saw that the information didn't exist anywhere in bite-sized pieces and in a cohesive place that truly reflected what the process and healing actually look like. Nothing works like the information out there says it does or should. It doesn’t work that way at all – I’ve been horrified by what I have seen with the mishandling of victims and survivors by law enforcement, federations, therapists, and all the places that are meant to be there to help.

You start to realize there is very little informed discussion, information, or understanding of how these things come together. My idea was to cover all that in this project and let people truly understand what the victim/survivor experience is really like.

In our soft launch, I started sharing the content with survivors and their families. The content has demonstrably given them a reflection and validation of what they may be experiencing. And dually serves as a tool to give to their support people so they can have an understanding as well. This brings home what we are trying to do.”

With gratitude,
Carrie Kehring
President of #WeRideTogether

A note from Michaela Callie,
Executive Director:

“When do you feel closest to God? It’s an interesting question – even if you’re not a religious person. To me, this question is truly asking about joy. And without question, the closest I’ve ever felt to God, or felt pure joy, is on the back of a horse. Being an athlete has defined the most joyous moments of my life. And also the darkest. I believe in a future where safety, dignity, joy, and protection in sports are the standard—not the exception. You are not alone.”

With gratitude,
Michaela Callie
Executive Director of #WeRideTogether

A note from Kathryn McClain,
Program and Partnerships Director:

“My own story and every story I have humbly heard and witnessed from working with victims/survivors came through in this project. This personal earned wisdom and collective strength from this brilliant team and partners spearheaded this endeavor to create something powerful, poignant, and prudent. May this series help someone feel seen and take the overwhelm off. May this series help move the needle in legislation in organizational policy and public response. May this series create conversation and actions of prevention and compassion.”

With gratitude,
Kathryn McClain
Program and Partnerships Director of #WeRideTogether

The Impact of Out of Bounds

Behind the Scenes
The victim/survivor experience is hard to talk about. It’s hard to watch. It’s even harder to endure. Every victim's experience is unique, and every survivor has had an unparalleled story and reckoning. Nevertheless, there are themes, aspects, and realms that victims/survivors most often face that others may not recognize or begin to understand.
Given the stigma regarding the topic of abuse and the trauma and peril of experiencing such violence, WeRideTogether aimed to provide insight into what a victim’s experience is really like.
There are rarely words for the unfathomable that far too many have endured. And, by no means can any project fully and truly encapsulate the lifelong triumph and hurdles and isolation and scars of victim/survivor experience either.
But we can and did offer language and imagery on the victim/survivor experience to promote awareness and to lessen the burden for victims/survivors. To give them tools to give them knowledge. To educate their supporters and to inspire cultural and societal change.

Pillars and Intentions Guiding This Project

Communicate and demonstrate elements of the victim/survivor experience from the emotional to the relational, to the systematic, and display some of the short-term and long-term impacts of trauma
Fill a gap in the sexual abuse, athletic, and healing spaces
Disrupt, confront, and debunk common misconceptions and stereotypes
Develop a 100% victim/survivor-informed and trauma-informed process and product
Tell and show the utter truth
Self-Reflection
While watching these videos did you see yourself or someone you know in any of the characters portrayed? What might they have been experiencing, feeling, or aware of — or not — during that time
How do you respond personally to victims/survivors? How may your response change after watching this series?
What beliefs of yours may have been challenged or triggered in watching this series? What may you want to get more information about?
What parts of the series spoke to you and why? What parts didn’t make sense or agree with you and why?
Write a brief note to one of the characters in the series. Or write a brief note to a sporting staff member, or professional, legislator, parent, teammate, etc. about something in the series.

Supporting Information and Resources

There is No ‘Perfect Victim’ or ‘Perfect Survivor’
View Resource
Language Matters
View Resource
10 Ways to Teach Children to Speak Up About Sexual Abuse — Child Mind Institute
View Resource
Age Appropriate Conversations — Zero Abuse Project
View Resource
Help Wanted Prevention Intervention
View Resource

Get Support with Agano

At #WeRideTogether, we believe in creating a world where survivors are supported and empowered. Agano is just one of the many ways we strive to provide comfort and care. If you or someone you know could benefit from Agano’s comforting presence, reach out to us today. Together, we can make healing possible, one step at a time.
Get Your Agano
If you or someone you know has experienced abuse or misconduct, help is available 24/7. For information on confidential helplines, reporting procedures, and mental health resources, click here.
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