I’m Hayden Elise Rivard, AKA the “HER” in IAMHER Media.

I created IAMHER Media to one, educate and get people talking about sexual assault and how prevalent it is, and two, to give myself a reason to paint all the time.

Naturally, I spend a lot of time painting and advocating for survivors of sexual assault, but outside of that, I’m probably busy putting my creative thinking elsewhere or chasing after my dachshund, Frankie.

My story

On February 4, 2022 I was sexually assaulted at a fraternity on Indiana University’s campus. I felt as if all of my power had been stripped away. From the prosecutor telling me I did not have a case against him, to Indiana University’s student investigation where they neglected to frequently update me on my case standings, and to the school letting him attend classes on campus with no punishment or suspension while telling me to reroute myself while walking to class to avoid running into him.

While I was home recovering, I found painting to be empowering and therapeutic.

After spending the summer living with my best friends and working on my PTSD through specialized therapy, I decided to do something about my injustices and start selling my paintings while raising awareness.

I created IAMHER Media to inspire the many women and men who came to me about their stories after hearing mine, to fight the system, and to raise money for RAINN - the nations largest anti-sexual violence organization. This is why a majority of my proceeds go to such an amazing organization and cause.

I have found so much healing through IAMHER Media and will never stop fighting for myself and those who surround me.

-H.E.R.