How to Help Survivors of Sexual Violence through Knitting

Promote healing and comfort for survivors of sexual violence through Threads of Compassion OKC

Sexual violence is a heartbreaking phenomenon that frequently leaves its victims feeling alone, ashamed, even unloved.

The statistics are staggering. According to RAINN, over 400,000 Americans age 12 and up experience sexual violence every year. And according to the National Crime Victimization Survey, over 75 percent of all sexual assaults are never reported.

In 2005, Threads of Compassion started up in Chicago to provide support and comfort to survivors of sexual violence through handmade scarves.

Over time, other chapters opened around the country. One such chapter that opened in 2010 was in Oklahoma City, and as I’ve been an Oklahomie since 2011, you can imagine how proud I was!

Unfortunately, over the past couple of years, the original Threads of Compassion disappeared along with its parent agency, and I have been unable to find any Facebook pages or remaining chapters.

…except for Oklahoma City! Happily, the charity in my home state is still going strong.

The Mission of Threads of Compassion OKC

The About Us page of their website says it beautifully:

It’s a pretty simple idea; anyone whose life has been affected by sexual violence may help. While some of our contributors are survivors themselves, many are friends or family of survivors.  We knit and crochet scarves that are given to survivors of assault when they go to the hospital for treatment.  

While receiving a scarf is certainly not a magic solution, our hope is that it is a piece of comfort during a terrible time.  Knowing that someone else has been through a similar experience can provide hope that the new survivor will come out on the other side of this tragedy.  

Making a scarf can be a step of healing for some — a way to reach out and offer comfort.

One thing I love about Threads of Compassion OKC is their regular work days. Every month, knitters and crocheters gather at a local church. These gatherings happen on the first Sunday of every month, save for July and December.

To me, the only thing more meaningful than knitting scarves for survivors is to gather as a group to do it together!

How You Can Help

Fortunately, you don’t have to live in Oklahoma City to help their mission! Of course, if you do live in OKC, you’re warmly invited to participate in their workdays. You can see the next scheduled workday on their Events Page.

And, if you live in Oklahoma City and enjoy attending the state fair, Jessica of Threads of Compassion OKC shared this lovely tidbit:

The Oklahoma State Fair has a category in their creative arts section for charities, and people can donate scarves to Threads of Compassion through the fair. They then get a charity ribbon, (and) the top 10 scarves are ranked by judges and (the winners) get those ribbons as well. 

I think this is a really fun way to engage with other fiber artists. 😊

Speaking of scarves… this is obviously the key way to participate in the mission! You can use virtually any pattern you wish. The only requirements: each scarf should be 5 to 8 inches wide and about 65 inches long.

Soft scarves offer tangible comfort to survivors. Therefore, knitters and crocheters should use the softest possible yarn.

If you’re currently participating in another charity project but still wish to help, or if you have non-knitting friends who would like to help? You can purchase gift cards for supplies and direct them to Threads of Compassion OKC! Find out how on their Donate page.

You can get their mailing address from the Donate page, too.

If you’d like to learn more about Threads of Compassion OKC, be sure to visit their website, which is kept updated and is very easy to navigate. And to keep up with the group (and see more lovely donation photos), you can follow their Facebook page as well.

A survivor who receives a scarf may be hearing for the first time, even indirectly, that they matter, that someone cares. If you want to be part of this message, why not consider how you can contribute?