Survivor Empowerment PlaylistHealing comes in many forms, and for many of us, music has been a powerful source of strength during challenging times.
For Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month 2025, we invited our KCSARC community to share the songs that uplift them, fill them with hope and strength, or that have supported them on their healing journey as a survivor, knowing that many of our supporters are survivors themselves. By sharing the music that has empowered us, our goal was to offer that same strength to survivors who may need it.
To survivors, we hope that when you tune into this playlist, you’ll be reminded that there is hope, even in the darkest moments. We hope it serves as a source of comfort and inspiration, a space where you can find strength in knowing that others are walking this path with you. And who knows? It might just get you up and dancing along the way!
Tip from KCSARC staff: The best way to enjoy this playlist is to listen while you scroll through this page and read the many messages of hope that came with the song submissions!
Please provide at least a first name and email address in case we have a question about your submission. All song submissions will be reviewed before being added to our playlist. Beyond your own first name, we cannot publish stories containing personally identifiable information.
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Song: Here Comes Sun
Artist: The Beatles
When I’m going through a difficult time, this song brings me hope and reminds me that brighter days are ahead.
– Cindy
Song: Help I’m Alive
Artist: Metric
This song perfectly encapsulates being vulnerable and strong simultaneously while also unsure if you are going to fit in with “Society” this way. All with a driving beat and powerful female vocals. It reminds me that I am alive and not alone.
– Lynne
Song: Teach Your Children
Artist: Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young
To me the song is about putting the past behind you and looking forward to the future, the unconditional love you pass on to your children, and the unconditional love you receive from them. It has been part of my life for over fifty years.
– Lorna
Song: See A Victory
Artist: Elevation Worship
When going through a hard time, this song reminds me that God is with me and fighting for me.
– Tramoya
Song: Good Day
Artist: Nappy Roots
It doesn’t matter what kind of day I am having, when I play this, I can’t help but smile. YOU GOT THIS.
– Emily
Song: Brave
Artist: Sara Bareilles
I love how encouraging, hopeful, and supportive this song is. Whenever I need a boost, I turn to this song.
“Maybe there’s a way out of the cage where you live,
maybe one of these days you can let the light in,
show me how big your brave is.“
Song: Changes
Artist: Joy Oladokun
I have this song on my own “deep breaths” playlist. It’s a gentle reminder that feeling big feelings about hard things is normal and okay. It also reminds me that I’m resilient and strong enough to keep going.
– Hannah
Song: Step by Step
Artist: Whitney Houston
This song is my mantra and has helped me get through hard times. It also makes me want to get up and dance!
Song: Unwritten
Artist: Natasha Bedingfield
I love this song because it is a reminder that you are in control of your own future and that there is freedom in living boldly, being yourself, and speaking your truth. No matter what has happened in the past, tomorrow can be a new beginning!
– Adriana
Song: Listen
Artist: Beyoncé
This is a song that resonates with themes of empowerment and self-discovery. The powerful lyrics express the struggle of finding one’s voice amidst adversity and the importance of being heard.
– Hani
Song: I’m Alive
Artist: Michael Franti and Spearhead
In those moments when things are tough, take that breath, feel those toes in the grass, feel the wind on your face, you are here, and you deserve to be here. You are alive.
– Emily
Song: Warrior
Artist: Demi Lovato
YOU ARE A WARRIOR.
Song: Hold On For One More Day
Artist: Wilson Phillips
This is the song my friend and I would listen to when we both had long, hard days. When you feel exhausted and feel like giving up, this is your song. One more day!!!! And the video is hilariously cheesy 80s and makes me laugh.
– Emily
Song: Ushers of a New World
Artist: Santigold
This song makes me remember that we don’t have to put up with things the way they have always been and have the power to make the changes we want to see in the world.
– Beth
Song: Fall in Line
Artist: Christina Aguilera
It’s about reminding girls of their strength and the value of their thoughts and voices.
Song: Work It Out
Artist: Jurassic 5 and Dave Matthews
This became the theme song of a cross-country road trip I was on with a friend. Stuff just kept happening on the trip and we just had to laugh and try and work it out. No matter how hard your day, DONT STOP DREAMING.
– Emily
Song: Where Rainbows Never Die
Artist: The SteelDrivers
His voice just lifts my soul and helps me overcome challenging moments.
– Emily
Song: Waves
Artist: Snow Da Product
This song’s message (delivered in English and Spanish like KCSARC services!) touches on the hard work of transforming suffering to prospering. I hope it reminds survivors they have a wave of support behind them as they work toward better days ahead.
– Nick
Song: Praying
Artist: Kesha
This song is a testament to the strength that comes from enduring and overcoming personal trauma. I hope this song empowers you to declare your strength, affirm your self-worth and dignity, and reminds you that you’re not defined by your past.
Song: You Haven’t Seen the Last of Me
Artist: Cher
This song conveys the message of inner strength and resilience. It is a declaration of determination and persistence. Do not give up! This is not the end of your story. Your strength will endure!
Song: Lost But Not Alone
Artist: Michael Franti and Spearhead
Even in those moments when you feel lost (and we all do) you are never alone, even when it feels like it. You are connected to so many people in ways you might not know. When you listen to this, know we are all here with you.
– Emily
Song: A Good Day
Artist: Spawnbreezie
This song exudes good vibes! I love the simple & positive lyrics. Whenever I’m feeling down, I try & imagine myself cruising or chilling on a sunny day. It spreads a message of hope & optimism. I’m reminded that the bad days won’t last forever!
Song: Someday You Will
Artist: Michael McDonald
This song embodies hope but is also an acknowledgement that it can take time to find a way forward. Our society is focused on just getting through grief & pain, mostly because other people are uncomfortable with dealing with these emotions.
– Adrienne
Song: You’re Not Alone
Artist: Allison Russell and Brandi Carlile
I could swear this song was written specifically for my inner child. It reminds me that my connection to other people and my sense of wonder about the natural world is what sustains me.
– Shepherd
Song: I’ll Stand ByYou
Artist: The Pretenders
Because we all need someone sometime. WE GOT YOU!
– Emily
Song: I Will Survive
Artist: Gloria Gaynor
The title sort of gives it away, but this song is a message to someone that you’re moving on in the world past their chapter in your life. It’s really powerful and personally it gives me confidence to listen to it!
– Everett
Song: Open My Door
Artist: Alice Phoebe Lou
I felt like a stranger in my own body for many years after trauma. This song inspires me to reclaim my body and spirit, to set boundaries that protect my wellbeing and reminds me that I deserve safety and love. I hope it can help another survivor, too.
Song: Unstoppable
Artist: Sia
Unstoppable inspires awareness, individuality & empowerment.
– Sarah
Song: Guts
Artist: Leith Ross
It just resonates so deeply with me and makes me feel so seen and validated within my experience.
Song: Brighter Day
Artist: Michael Franti and Spearhead
We are all here for you and with you. Brighter days are to come.
– Emily
Song: Iconic
Artist: SkyDxddy
This song helped me feel sane when the justice system told me that my case wasn’t enough but if anyone else came forward and said it happened to them too then they might take it seriously.
– Molly
Song: Keep Going
Arist: Faith and Freedom
This song gave me strength during 2020 pandemic, cancer diagnosis and treatment. Now it helps when dealing with ALL memories of trauma (PTSD) including sexual assault as a freshman student at a university in Utah in 1981 whilst on track scholarship.
– Dayna
Song: You’re So Vain
Artist: Carly Simon
It’s a pretty powerful song about arrogance and the song makes me feel like it’s retaking power from the nasty people in my life.
– Lilly
Song: Don’t Give Up
Artist: Peter Gabriel
In my darkest hours this song consoles me and convinces me to keep going.
– Dennis
Song: Epilogue from Improvisations on E09066
Artist: Kishi Bashi
No matter our background or our struggles, this speaks to the human experience in a unique way — it’s brief but touches on what we have in common and what we seek.
– Brittny
Song: Freedom
Artist: Beyonce
Whenever I need to face something challenging, this song is the one I listen to.
– Andrea
Song: One Call Away
Artist: Charlie Puth
I want my daughter to know that no matter what happens, no matter how far we may from one another, no matter what period, I will always be one call away. I will be her supermom always.
– Joy
Song: Postcard
Artist: The Orphan 40
Postcard reflects on challenges overcoming my own personal adversities, the difficulty in finding yourself amidst overwhelming emotional turmoil, rejecting others’ perceptions and constraints, and building a life of purpose and meaning.
– Ian
Song: Brave
Artist: Sara Bareilles
This song reminds me that no matter how small the world may make me feel, or how bad I have been treated, I don’t have to stay trapped in silence. Voices are powerful and I’m not alone.
Song: Superwoman
Artist: Alicia Keys
When i have to dig deep and find power inside myself, this song helps elevate my confidence in myself and put on that vest with an “s” on my chest… and know that I can fight my trauma dragons and make progress on my life path. I hope it helps others.
– Diya
Song: Gloria
Artist: Michael Franti & Spearhead
Because it reminds me of my impact, the impact of others, and the hope that I can tap into 🙂
Song: She Used to Be Mine
Artist: Sara Bareilles
“Til it finally reminds her to fight just a little, to bring back the fire in her eyes that’s been gone but used to be mine”
– Amy
Song: Praying
Artist: Kesha
She wrote this after coming out and telling everyone she was abused. This was her taking back her power.
Song: Honey White
Artist: Morphine
This song, and its album, is what I blast no matter the wood. They’re my power songs because they represent power and strong emotion to me – love, power, anger and joy.
– Lilly
