Events & Calendars Opening Ceremony of Healing Fire for Survivors of Sexual Violence

The Healing Fire Initiative for Survivors of Sexual Violence, their friends, families and allies.
Opening Ceremony 1 p.m. on April 26
Fire will burn until 1 p.m. on April 27

People who come to the healing fire are welcome to make offerings to the fire. Wooden shims and sharpies will be provided and you are welcome to bring letters and pictures of your own. Amherst College is honored to partner with Gedakina Inc. in an effort to provide a space of healing for our campus community. In 2002 Gedakina co-founded the Healing Fire Initiative for Survivors of Sexual Violence. The purpose of the Healing Fire Initiative is to offer survivors of sexual violence a welcoming and comforting place to break the isolation they may feel, build community with other survivors and supporters, and begin or continue their healing process. This program is now a regional initiative with organizations and colleges/universities across the United States adopting this award-winning program.

The Healing Fire will begin with an opening ceremony at 1 p.m. on Thursday April 26, on the First Year Quad (directly across from the Frost Library entrance). The fire will be burning until 1 p.m. on April 27 and will staffed by faculty, staff and the Peer Advocates of Sexual Respect throughout the 24 hour period. Please feel free to stay for any amount of time that feels right for you. In respect for attendees we ask that no photography or social media include faces of people unless you have explicit permission.

“When I sit in the light of the Healing Fire, there are no voices that tell me I am to blame, that I am the only one, or that I deserve to be assaulted. When I sit in the light of the Healing Fire, I see the many kind faces before me. I hear their stories and feel the warmth and wisdom that we share. There is a power hear tonight, As this fire symbolizes the strength of survivors, it also symbolizes our passion, our righteous anger, our commitment and hope for a future where our children will be free of abuse and violence.”- A quote from a Survivor who attended a Healing Fire in Burlington, Vermont