Brandon University is pleased to announce the premiere of a graphic novella video adaptation of It Happened to Me & It's Not Okay: Sharing Stories of Sexual Violence, an acclaimed research-based narrative originally published as a graphic novella resource. The animated version adds voice performance, motion within comic panels, original sound design, and music to create a powerful audio-visual experience that deepens understanding of the lived experiences of sexual and gendered violence. The video is now available for viewing on YouTube: https://youtu.be/o4T3VLAbXzc.
Originally launched in 2024 as a graphic novella resource to support awareness and education about sexual violence in post-secondary contexts, the narrative combines composite accounts from 10 interviewees into a single, anonymous story that reflects their shared experiences and voices. The original work has been widely recognized for its sensitive, research-grounded approach and accessibility.
"When we set out to create the graphic novella, we worked with 10 individuals who generously shared parts of their lived experiences. My challenge was to weave these into a single, linear story that honors the complexity of what they told us, while making sure each person's voice is felt in different ways throughout the narrative," said Dr. Candice Waddell-Henowitch, Primary Investigator and Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatric Nursing. "In the video adaptation, those core experiences are not just seen on the page but heard and felt through voice and movement."
The animated format draws on the original illustrations by Merissa Mayhew, whose artistry helped shape the identity of the project. "The visuals were created to reflect both emotional depth and narrative clarity," said Merissa Mayhew, Graphic Artist. "Translating these panels into motion with voice and sound enriches the experience and brings another layer of connection for viewers."
Members of the Rural, Remote, and Northern Gendered-Violence Research Team took part in the voice recording for the video, adding personal investment and emotional nuance to the performances. "Lending my voice to this piece was a meaningful extension of the research," said Krista Murray, Research Assistant and Voice Actor. "We hope that hearing these lines makes the stories more immediate and impactful for audiences."
Brandon University's Knowledge Mobilization Suite was instrumental in producing the video using creative and resourceful approaches to sound and recording. "We explored new ways of working with the tools at hand, from building a vocal recording booth out of furniture blankets to carefully stitching the art together with voice actors' emotional choices in each line," said Nick Brown, Video Producer and Editor. "This project reflects how creative knowledge mobilization can expand the reach of research in innovative ways." Knowledge Mobilization at BU bridges research and real-world impact through creative dissemination strategies.
The project is also supported by research collaborators including Nadine Smith, Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatric Nursing and a member of the Rural, Remote, and Northern Gendered-Violence Research Program, whose work in mental health and lived experience research enriches the team's interdisciplinary approach. "Sexual and gendered violence affects mental health and well-being in profound ways," said Nadine Smith. "Using narrative and visual mediums helps bridge the gap between research data and human lived experience, offering a space for compassionate understanding and dialogue."
Reflecting the university's broader commitment to supporting impactful and community-engaged research, Dr. Bernadette Ardelli, Vice-President (Research & Graduate Studies), emphasized the importance of diverse research outputs and knowledge mobilization. "At Brandon University, we celebrate innovative ways that research reaches people, whether through traditional scholarship or creative outputs like this animated graphic novella," said Dr. Ardelli. "Projects like It Happened to Me & It's Not Okay demonstrate how research can bridge academic insight and public understanding, fostering meaningful dialogue around issues that matter deeply to individuals and communities."
The video adaptation of It Happened to Me & It's Not Okay is available now on YouTube, allowing educators, community members, and the public to engage with the work through an accessible, multimedia format that complements the original graphic novella resource found at BrandonU.ca.
For more information about the research and the original graphic novella, visit:
