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Our Approach

philosophy

The Problem

Without understanding the nuances of the problem, we will not be able to effectively stop child sexual abuse

Our Theory of Change

Our innovative model is based squarely in a nuanced understanding of the research and the collective wisdom of our participants

Our Interventions

We work in three service areas: individual healing, collective healing and active prevention

Commitment

Our Five Priorities in Five Years

Our strategic plan guiding our intentions from 2023-2027

12 Core Principles

We ask all who participate in our community to uphold these core values

Thought Leadership

Our thought leadership reflects our evolving insights on healing, accountability, and prevention through articles, media, and community reflections.

Featured Content

Why do our icons commit sexual harm?

New York Times Letter to the Editor

Resources for Green Trans and NonBinary Folx and Allies

Healing Together: A Family Guide to Recovering from Sexual Harm

By: Elizabeth Clemants | Healing Together offers a compassionate and practical guide for families navigating the devastating aftermath of sexual harm to a young person. Hidden Water Members get 25% off!

View More Posts

Healing Journeys

Individual Healing Circles

About Healing Circles

Healing Circles are held virtually twice a year. These spaces are for those who want to do their healing with others who have a similar experiences.

Green

I was harmed

Purple

I harmed someone

Orange

My child harmed or was harmed

Blue

Someone I love harmed or was harmed

DualColor

I identify with two colors

Healing Circle Calendar

Sign up for a Healing Circle.

Support

MultiColor Experiences

Circles made up of all four colors committed to developing a new collective understanding together

Prevention Education

This unique approach to prevention works inside the family system where most harm happens

Frequently Asked Questions

More information on how we work

Schedule Highlights

Summer Circle Workshop Series

Discover growth and healing opportunities in our Summer Workshop series for Keepers and our community. Stay tuned for scheduled workshops.

Learn More

May 2026 Restorative Justice Circle Training with Kay Pranis

Learn Circle Keeping fundamentals at this in-person Circle Keeper training in Brooklyn from Friday - Sunday from 9am - 5pm.

Learn More

Summer 2026 Safe(r) Adult Training

This 12-week training empowers adults to prevent child sexual abuse and support healing to create safe(r) communities.

Learn More

Summer Circle Workshop Series

Discover growth and healing opportunities in our Summer Workshop series for Keepers and our community. Stay tuned for scheduled workshops.

Learn More

View More Upcoming Events

Who We Are

Keepers

Those who lead the healing circles are the heart of our work, and have gone through a two year training to be called Hidden Water Circle Keepers

Board Members

While all boards have a fiduciary duty to their organization, our members are also powerful thought leaders in the restorative justice space

Staff

We strongly commit to a safe, supported and intentional environment for our participants and volunteers which requires the hard work of our mighty staff

Background

About Hidden Water

A restorative justice response to child sexual abuse

Financial Health

Annual Reports, 990s and Reviewed Financial Statements

Supporters

Our supporters are the driving force behind our work

Reports

2024

990

View

2025

Annual Report

View

View More Reports

Our Community

For Our Community

Member Resources

A curated space of podcasts, 'Keeper Crosstalk', and resources for our monthly membership community

Keeper Resources

Resources and support for our Current Keepers

Board Resources

Information and resources for our Board of Directors

Be a part of Our Community

Become a Member

Make a monthly contribution and join us

Train with Hidden Water

Explore circle trainings and workshops

Become an Ambassador

Help promote Hidden Water's mission

View Upcoming Events

Join us for our next community event

Support Our Community

Summer 2026 Safe(r) Adult Training

This 12-week training empowers adults to prevent child sexual abuse and support healing to create safe(r) communities.

Learn More

Give Today

Make a Donation

One-time donation, stock, bequests

Donate

Ways To Give

Donate

Fall 2026 Healing Circles are now open for registration. If you are having any trouble registering, please watch our registration troubleshooting video.

Newsletter

Stay informed.

Join our email list.

Ready for help?

The first step is to join an individual Healing Circle.

Learn more about Healing Circles

We heal together.

Stay informed—join our email list.

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Glossary

Restorative Justice

Restorative Justice is a practice of addressing past harm that focuses on healing, accountability and repair, rather than punishment.

Circle

A Circle is a process of convening community that has been carried through thousands of years by indigenous peoples from all over the world. This process centers on equality of voice, self accountability and holding the collective wisdom.

Circle Keeper

A Hidden Water Circle Keeper is a participant who identifies as the color they are keeping, who is also in charge of holding the circle space, logistics and administering the curriculum for each healing circle session. Hidden Water Keepers go through a two year training process to hold these spaces.

Circle Structure

1 - When it is our turn, we 'share to be known' from our own lived experiences.

2 - When it is not our turn, we 'listen to know' others, without interruption or judgment.

3 - We speak in the order provided or when the talking piece comes to us as it moves around the circle in one direction.

4 - We can pass when it is our turn to speak.

5 - We practice the principle of non-interference: no comments, feedback, advice or questions directed at other participants in the group or what they have shared.

The Colors

At Hidden Water we use the colors to represent an individual's personal experience with child sexual abuse in order to stay away from labels that may lock in the shame event, and make it more difficult for us to move toward healing. Those colors are: Green (those who were harmed sexually as a young person), Blue (loved one), Orange (non-offending parent) and Purple (those who caused sexual harm to a young person and are ready to take responsibility).

Talking Piece

An object that can be held in one hand, that signifies the speaker. If one is holding the talking piece, then it is their turn to share from their experience. Those not holding the talking piece, actively listening to the speaker until they are complete. When the speaker passes the talking piece to the next person, the next person is invited to share. In circle, the talking piece holds the power, and it is shared collectively.

Openings and Closings

All circles start with an opening, and end with a closing. This is a collective experience led by one person. Typically: a poem read aloud, a song played or sung, intentional breathing, guided meditations, quotes, a visual experience, and sometimes a game. Anything can be an opening or a closing, and often it matches the theme for the circle.

Prompts and Rounds

During each circle session, the circle will strive to go around three times, for each person to have a chance to speak three times. Those are what we call "rounds". A round is usually started with a "prompt" or a guided question for the speakers to respond to, if they choose. The speaker is invited to answer the prompt, or just say what is occuring to them in the moment.

Participant Leads

At Hidden Water the 4th through the 11th circle sessions are what is called "participant leads" or "participant shares". Those circle sessions will focus on a different participant sharing the 'edge of their healing' while the others respond with what they can relate to from their own life.

"The Edge of Our Healing"

When we say "what is the edge of your healing?" we mean: in what way is the past harm still negatively impacting your life today, in the present?