Steps To Take Before Publicly Coming Forward With Your Story
Publicly sharing a traumatic or emotionally challenging experience is one of the bravest things you’ll ever do. It makes you vulnerable to the empathy or judgment of people without the slightest clue of what you’re going through.
In addition to mental health challenges, coming forward can also have financial or legal consequences regardless of whether you were wronged. While you may be justified in sharing your story with the world, you must be wary of the consequences.
That’s why you can’t wake up one morning and light up the internet or airwaves with shocking or sensitive information.
While you may want to get justice or closure, you also want to avoid being at the receiving end of societal or legal backlash.
Coming forward with your story publicly is a process, and there are critical steps towards achieving your goal. In this guide, you’ll discover the techniques for coming forward publicly and what to do after.
Steps to Publicly Come Forward with Your Story
1. Heal
Revisiting probably the lowest moment of your life may feel like reopening old wounds. So, ensure you’ve healed from the physical or psychological trauma before embarking on this journey.
Sharing your story with the world after healing puts you in a stable mental state, which is crucial to getting through this process. It might take multiple therapy sessions, abstinence from social media, and joining a wellness program to speed up your healing process.
2. Define Your Goal
Before going public with your experience, define the “why”. Do you want to expose the perpetrators, or are you demanding rightful compensation? Maybe you hope to stop another person from facing the same difficult experience later on?
Identifying your motive for publicly coming forward guides your approach to preparing for public appearances, consulting experts, and delivering a compelling narrative.
3. Get an Attorney
Seeking legal counsel before coming forward is non-negotiable. Sharing your story publicly may have legal implications, and you may never know them without legal advice.
You risk getting slammed with defamation, breaching confidentiality agreements, or leaking private information by those linked to your story. A legal practitioner can advise you on how to move with your narrative and represent you if you get a lawsuit.
4. Work on Your Story
How well you tell your story can impact public opinion and improve your chances of a favorable verdict if a legal battle ensues. So, carefully review your story and arrange your thoughts.
It’s entirely your call to pick what facts you reveal to others and what you hold back. Only reveal what you’re comfortable sharing as long as you convey your core message.
You may need media training to prepare for your interactions with the press. Learn to be concise, clear, and correct when speaking with trained journalists or answering their questions.
Make sure you vet the platform or journalists you engage with. Research and choose those that won’t spin the narrative and expose you to public scrutiny.
5. Choose the Ideal Medium
It’s expedient that you decide where or how you want to publicly narrate your story and to whom. If you are most comfortable typing or writing down your experience, go with print media. If you’re good with words and camera-friendly, a video or audio platform might be ideal. Prioritise what makes you comfortable and what will convey your message best.
6. Inform Your Loved Ones
You don’t want your parents, siblings, or best friends to be the last to know about your ordeal. Therefore, you must inform them of your imminent action.
Communication prepares them for what’s to come. It also protects them from ambush by the press, neighbors, or colleagues. Informing your support system beforehand may strengthen your bond and encourage them to back you when it gets tough.
What to Do after Publicly Coming Forward?
1. Get in Touch with Your Support System
Everything changes the morning after coming forward with your story. It can be a lonely and vulnerable period for anyone.
In times like these, you need your support system more than ever. Reach out to your relatives and the people closest to you. You may ask to stay with them for a while if the loneliness is unbearable. Having loved ones you can count on in tough times is a gift.
2. Avoid the Press
The press is not always your friend. Accepting interview invitations may not always be in your best interest, as you have no control over the narrative once it gets out. So, avoid the press in the heat of the moment. You may only grant an interview request if your legal counsel approves.
3. Prioritise Self-Care
Sharing your experience publicly can be tiring for both your body and your feelings. It can lead to stress and adversely affect your mental state. You may also experience dermatological issues due to the stress. To remain in peak condition, prioritise self-care.
You may take a vacation away from your domicile. Traveling can relieve stress, improve your sleep quality, and connect you with nature.
If your busy schedule means traveling is not an option, start exercising regularly. Regular exercise enhances the stimulation of “feel-good” hormones, helping you relieve mental and physical stress.
4. Restructure Your Online Activities
When a story goes public, opinions will always be divided. So, there’s always a chance that those who strongly disagree with you might want to air their views in an unsophisticated manner. Thus, be mindful of your online activities, especially social media interactions.
Restructure your online interactions until the dust settles before resuming normal activities. Doing this can help you avoid cyberbullying and comments that can bring back past trauma.
You may set your social media accounts to “private” to only interact with those you trust. Disabling comments in the comments section can also prevent cyber bullies from getting under your skin. If you must be active online, hire a PR expert or social media manager.
5. Prepare to Support Others
Plenty of other people have gone through situations like what you faced. While some may have healed from the trauma, others might still be struggling with their new reality.
Your story and bravery could inspire some to also come forward with theirs. In doing so, they might look up to you for guidance to help them safely navigate the process. Although optional, prepare to take on a supportive role in other people’s stories. From support groups to seminars, your presence can change someone’s life.
Conclusion
Coming forward with your story in public can change your life. It comes with consequences that can shape the rest of your future. So, heal first, seek legal counsel, and carefully choose your medium before speaking.
After coming forward, connect with your support system, minimise your online activity, and prioritise self-care.
The jury’s always out whenever a sensitive story goes public. Be mentally ready for the public’s reaction to your story, some of which will be negative. Coming forward can help you get your life back: own it.