Our Wave raises awareness, provides healing for survivors

In March 2022, Karsyn Westerbeek of Technician, NC State's student newspaper, profiled Our Wave and its roots in the university community. The story follows how co-founder and NC State graduate Kyle Linton turned a deeply personal moment into an online space where survivors of sexual assault can share their stories and find healing.

From a Personal Moment to a Platform

According to Technician, Linton graduated from NC State's Poole College of Management in 2014. He first imagined the platform in 2018, after someone close to him experienced sexual assault. Working with co-founder and chief technology officer Brendan Michaelsen, he helped bring that idea to life as an online community for survivors. "We created Our Wave to be a place where people can share stories anonymously," Linton told the paper. He described the collective body of stories as one central place where survivors' experiences can raise awareness.

A Volunteer Team With Global Reach

The article highlights the volunteers who helped Our Wave grow beyond Raleigh. Alexa DeFalco, then an NC State graduate student and Our Wave's director of development, said she felt honored when people shared their own experiences with the team. Naishadha Peri, a business management student, described the meaning of contributing in a small but real way. Technician reported that stories had come in from more than 20 countries by early 2022. The paper also noted partnerships with organizations such as the #MeToo movement, along with events to raise funds and awareness.

Looking Ahead to Reach More Survivors

Linton told Technician that raising awareness of sexual assault comes first, followed closely by reaching and supporting as many survivors as possible. He also shared his hope that survivors can find support no matter where they live or what language they speak. The team's message throughout is one of hope: healing is possible, and no survivor has to walk that path alone.

Read the full story in Technician.