When we created the Music For Pixels campaign, we started by asking ourselves:
What if YouTube artistes and YouTube music fans got together to make the world a better place for women and girls worldwide?”
We genuinely had no idea what sort of response we would get from survivors, supporters, fellow anti-Violence Against Women nonprofits and activists, and the general public.
All we knew is that music would be a very powerful way to amplify the message we wanted to send out and we hoped that it would also prove to be an equally powerful way for the message to reach into the hearts and minds of the vast global online community out there.
And so together with our first ever Music For Pixels artiste, YouTube’s #1 R&B group, AHMIR, we released the music video PSA of their cover of ‘The Rose’ with fingers crossed and breath held…
More importantly, we were proven right as the comments section under the video exploded and survivors, supporters and AHMIR fans alike posted their thoughts about the video.
Here is a selection of the most striking comments from survivors inspired to speak up and share their stories*:
* Please note that we have reproduced these quotes in their authentic entirety to preserve the voice of the commentator.
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“As a survivor of domestic violence, thanks for the support Ahmir. Beautiful song, brought tears to my eyes.” – Swoon17
“This song touched me. I am the 1 of 5 victims. At age 10, I was raped 5 times by the same guy.. I didn’t know what was gong on because I cracked my head open. At age 18, every memory came to me like a speeding bullet… threatened to kill me if I said anything… 15 years later I’m able and blessed to share and to save a life.. please don’t hesitate to say something… I’m very glad that you guys sung a beautiful song that reaches out to people, and someone like me and anyone else who’s been through it, can reach out and speak without being afraid of anything and can save a life. Thank you guys so much! Much love and respect. God Bless you guys with such a beautiful talent.” – lilsnowbunny23
“This really touches me. when I was 11 a guy was pressuring me to do things with him I didn’t want to do. I kept saying no and he beat me every time, even coming up behind me while I was leaving and choking me with a shoe lace. I have a scar on the side of my neck because of the burn from shaking my head back and forth, trying to get him off of me. No one can touch my face because of him and it hurts because the guy I’m with now is trying to help me recover when it’s just way too hard for me.” – ForeverLove6354
“I love anything Ahmir does and to do a song for this cause makes me love them even more. Like most of you, I too was a victim of rape at a young age and I didn’t recover until I was older. After recovery, I helped other young girls who were also victims, they just needed someone to trust, talk to, and to be there for them. After I was brutally raped I didn’t have anyone so I tried to take my life multiple times, luckily I didn’t succeed. The word needs to be put out so thanks guys for helping!” – hbarden18
“Thank you for raising funds and awareness for this cause. I am a domestic violence survivor. Without the programs available at the time of my need, my family and I wouldn’t be here. More money and awareness is needed. The effects of this life experience not only affect the wife, it affects the children with lifelong psychological effects for all, including the husband. Thank you AHMIR for using your voices to help raise awareness for the voiceless women and children of domestic violence.” – AJsFight4Life
“I love this!!! My mother was a victim at one point in her life. Thanks so much!!! Keep singing!! Love you guys.” – saxtaylor96
“This is amazing. <3 Been abused by my parents and ex boyfriends. Physical and emotional. Been through depression. But I’m moving on now – therapy & an amazing boyfriend. And I guess.. Even though YouTube is full of strangers, this kinda music makes me able to share.”– Bab3girlX
“BEAUTIFUL!! It’s awsome you guys are trying to make a different!! Wish I had the courage to do something.. my brother abused me for four years and my parents never believed me.. now I just live in silent pain and being afraid to get a boyfriend.. It’s such a blessing to know you guys are doing everything you can to stop that.”– kiplasy
When we created the Music For Pixels campaign, we started by asking ourselves:
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