amherst writers & artists

We’ve Got Some Things to Say: Reshaping Narratives Around Sexual Violence begins with a simple but profound mission: giving survivors back their stories, in their own words. Building on the work of We’ve Been Put Through Fire & Come Out Divine: Stories of Hope & Survival, this anthology tackles some of the harmful societal questions and myths that silence and shame survivors, confronting the thinly veiled accusations that lie behind questions such as ＂What were you wearing?＂ and ＂Had you been drinking?＂ It also sheds light on how survivors often face a second trauma-society’s judgment and blame-on top of the violence they’ve already suffered. With raw vulnerability and unflinching clarity, these writers transform their trauma into compelling narratives, using their words to challenge social and cultural assumptions and advocate for change. These pieces don’t just recount pain-they explore the complex paths toward healing, resilience, and reclaiming voice. We’ve Got Some Things to Say invites readers to bear witness and reflect, calling for societal accountability and demanding collective attention to sexual violence and the many victim-blaming narratives that perpetuate and surround it.