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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

Featured Content

Healing Together: A Family Guide to Recovering from Sexual Harm

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!
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The Hidden Water Podcast

The Hidden Water Podcast

Listen to the first episode of our new podcast
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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 Circle icon
Green
I was harmed
Purple Circle icon
Purple
I harmed someone
Orange Circle icon
Orange
My child harmed or was harmed
Blue Circle icon
Blue
Someone I love harmed or was harmed
DualColor Circle icon
DualColor
I have been harmed and have also harmed
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

Summer Circle Workshop Series

Discover growth and healing opportunities in our Summer Workshop series for Keepers and our community. Stay tuned for scheduled workshops.
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Fall 2025 Restorative Justice Circle Training
Training

Fall 2025 Restorative Justice Circle Training

Learn about Restorative Justice Circle Keeping with this hands-on experiential training.
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View More Upcoming Events
Who We Are
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

2023 990
2023

990

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2023 Annual Report
2023

Annual Report

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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
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Information and resources for our Board of Directors
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Support Our Community

Summer 2025 Restorative Justice Healing Circle Training

Summer 2025 Restorative Justice Healing Circle Training

Learn Circle Keeping fundamentals in this weekend-long Circle Keeper training.
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Jun 11, 2025

Pathway to Becoming a Hidden Water Circle Keeper

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Jun 11, 2025

Pathway to Becoming a Safe(r) Adult Trainer

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May 27, 2025

In-The-Water: A Training for Becoming a Safe(r) Adult

Supporting CSA Healing, Interruption and Prevention-Education

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Jun 4, 2025

Resources for Green Trans and NonBinary Folx and Allies

Resources for Green Trans and NonBinary Folx and Allies

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Dec 10, 2024

Hidden Water Giving Tuesday 2024 Resources

Giving Tuesday resource page for ambassadors.

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Oct 23, 2024

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!

Book
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Oct 23, 2024

Can Restorative Justice Help Child Sexual Abuse Survivors Heal?

Well+Good's, Fortesa Latifi, interviews Elizabeth Clemants on how Healing Circles are supporting healing from child sexual abuse.

News Article
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Sep 18, 2024

Restorative Works! Addressing the Disconnect with Sethu Nair

Sethu speaks with us about her work in conflict management and how she has seen global, political, and cultural events weigh heavily in instances of interpersonal conflict, acknowledging collective exhaustion that has become a norm in the modern human experience.

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Oct 22, 2024

Talking about Child Sexual Abuse Can Help End Child Sexual Abuse

Child sexual abuse is preventable, according to Joan Tabachnick, a longtime leader in the effort to stop the exploitation of children. But addressing the problem will require families and communities to actively engage in uncomfortable conversations.

News Article
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Nov 14, 2024

NYC expands restorative justice programs: 'This is for them to come feel safe'

This summer, Hidden Water supported the Kingsbridge Heights Community Center by training young people to lead restorative justice circles in their communities.

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Sep 2, 2024

Accountability, Leadership, and the Logic of Either/Or

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Mar 11, 2025

Hidden Water Welcome

Opening our Circles with Inclusion*

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Feb 14, 2024

Hidden Water Giving Tuesday 2023 Resource Page

Giving Tuesday resource page for ambassadors.

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Oct 29, 2023

The Hidden Water Podcast

Listen to the first episode of our new podcast

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Glossary

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?