The Sarahah app quickly gained immense popularity, although users often utilized it for light-hearted comments and unkind trolling. For those unfamiliar, Sarahah is a free online platform that allows individuals to leave anonymous feedback about others. While it aims to provide “honest feedback,” many of the messages received lean towards being juvenile in nature.
How Sarahah – Meaning ‘Honesty’ in Arabic – Took the Internet by Storm
Unlike more constructive applications like WhatsApp, which are used to foster positive connections, Sarahah has been creatively integrated into a campaign by a Chennai-based NGO called Aware, focusing on the serious issue of child sexual abuse.
Aware has launched the Save the Smiles campaign, encouraging survivors of child abuse to share their experiences to aid in their healing process. The organization has established a presence on Sarahah through the profile savethesmiles.sarahah.com, where it responds to anonymous inquiries and offers actionable guidance via its Facebook page.
What Is Sarahah, How Does It Work, and Other Questions Answered
Sandhiyan Thilagavathy, the founder of Aware, explained that the group has previously conducted workshops on the prevention of child sexual abuse, a subject that remains largely overlooked. “We observed that there was a reluctance to engage with this topic,” Thilagavathy noted. “Many attendees showed minimal interest despite being present.”
Finding potential in Sarahah, the team began to leverage the application in its campaign against child sexual abuse. The anonymity provided by Sarahah enables individuals to pose questions without fear of judgment, allowing Aware to share these inquiries on other social media channels, where they can be addressed openly. This approach encourages individuals to come forward with their experiences and seek help without the burden of shame.
“We launched our initiative on August 15 and promoted it through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and WhatsApp, although we only posted responses on Facebook,” Thilagavathy said. “Previously, about one in ten individuals reached out to us. However, after establishing our Sarahah page, the engagement was overwhelming. In just two weeks, Aware received more than 60 messages.”
Inquiries ranged from methods of educating children about sexual abuse to personal accounts of trauma. The organization’s engagement on Sarahah has significantly expanded its reach.
Aware provides detailed responses to questions posted on its Facebook page, often suggesting that individuals consult with professional therapists or attend workshops for further assistance. “One individual initially contacted us on behalf of a friend dealing with sexual trauma but later admitted that it was her own experience she wanted to discuss,” Thilagavathy recounted. “She expressed a desire to volunteer with us and aimed to channel her journey into advocacy.”
As a result of the campaign, three new volunteers have joined Aware, and Thilagavathy confirmed, “We will keep this platform active as long as people wish to learn more about preventing and addressing child abuse.”
