RISE Survivor Fashion Show Sparks Creation of Global Incest AWAREness Day

The chance meeting of two survivors at the RISE event led to the launch of the first-ever Incest AWAREness Day on April 21, 2026.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 4:09am

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A highly stylized, pop art-inspired illustration featuring a repeating pattern of a vibrant, neon-colored fashion item such as a dress or shoe, conceptually representing the empowerment and visibility of survivors through the RISE Survivor Fashion Show.The RISE Survivor Fashion Show serves as a catalyst for the launch of the first-ever Incest AWAREness Day, a movement to destigmatize and support survivors of this deeply traumatic form of abuse.NYC Today

While waiting in line for the RISE Survivor Fashion Show at Forbes, two survivors, Danielle Carpio and Josephine A. Lauren, met and connected over their shared work in the trauma space. This chance encounter sparked the creation of the first-ever Incest AWAREness Day, launching on April 21, 2026. The day aims to bring visibility to incest, one of the most stigmatized and least openly discussed forms of trauma, and provide support and resources for survivors.

Why it matters

Incest is a deeply traumatic and underreported form of abuse, with many survivors struggling in silence due to the immense shame and stigma surrounding it. The creation of Incest AWAREness Day represents an important step in destigmatizing this issue, empowering survivors to seek support, and driving broader societal awareness and understanding.

The details

The idea for Incest AWAREness Day was born when Carpio, founder of Healing and CPTSD, and Lauren, co-founder of Incest AWARE, met while waiting in line for the RISE Survivor Fashion Show. Their chance interaction turned into a deeper conversation about the lack of resources and open dialogue around incest. Following the event, they collaborated to create an Incest AWARE Survivor Support Circle within the Healing and CPTSD Community Hub, providing a safe, peer-led space for survivors to connect. From this, the concept of Incest AWAREness Day was born, with the goal of bringing visibility to this issue and letting survivors know they are not alone.

  • The RISE Survivor Fashion Show took place in April 2026.
  • Incest AWAREness Day will launch on April 21, 2026.

The players

Danielle Carpio

Founder of Healing and CPTSD, an incest survivor and CPTSD advocate who has become a leading survivor voice in the trauma space.

Josephine A. Lauren

Co-founder of Incest AWARE, an internationally recognized, queer, disabled author and activist.

Amanda Nguyen

Creator of the RISE Survivor Fashion Show, a platform that empowers survivors through fashion.

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What they’re saying

“It was one of those moments that didn't feel random. We were just standing there, waiting to go in — and started talking. Then realized we were both doing work in this space.”

— Danielle Carpio, Founder, Healing and CPTSD

“This isn't about asking people to share their stories. It's about making sure they don't have to carry it alone anymore.”

— Danielle Carpio, Founder, Healing and CPTSD

What’s next

On April 21, 2026, Healing and CPTSD and Incest AWARE will co-host a live conversation on Instagram at 12 PM EST, creating space for awareness, education, and shared dialogue. A free Incest AWAREness Guide will also be available for download, offering supportive, trauma-informed information for those navigating or seeking to better understand this experience.

The takeaway

The creation of Incest AWAREness Day represents an important step in destigmatizing a deeply traumatic and underreported form of abuse, empowering survivors to seek support and driving broader societal awareness and understanding. By providing a platform for connection, education, and survivor-led resources, this initiative aims to ensure that no one has to carry the burden of incest alone.