In recent months, TikTok has seen a powerful trend emerge called the “Mary Ann” trend, where creators share stories of resilience, survival, and the silent struggles so many people face behind closed doors. The trend has resonated with millions of viewers because it touches on a topic that is often hidden in plain sight—domestic violence.

The Reality Behind the Trend

While social media trends often fade quickly, the stories being told through the “Mary Ann” trend highlight something that does not disappear when the screen turns off. Domestic violence is an urgent and widespread issue, affecting millions of individuals and families every year. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have experienced some form of physical violence from an intimate partner in their lifetime.

Behind each statistic is a person—someone’s daughter, son, sibling, friend, or parent—who may feel trapped, unseen, and unsure of where to turn. Someone you know is being abuses right now and needs help escaping.

Why Survivors Need Someone on Their Side

Leaving an abusive relationship is one of the most dangerous times for a Survivor. Abusers often escalate control when they sense their victim is preparing to leave. This is why support systems are critical. Survivors need:

• Safe housing or emergency shelter when it’s no longer safe to stay home.

• Basic resources like food, clothing, and transportation to start over.

• Advocacy and guidance to navigate legal systems, protective orders, or child custody.

• Compassion and understanding so they do not feel alone in their journey.

Organizations like Control Alt Delete exist for this very reason—to stand on the Survivor’s side, provide immediate help when barriers arise, and give them the chance to escape safely. Whether it’s covering a night in a hotel, providing gas to flee, or replacing a slashed tire, these small interventions can be the difference between danger and freedom.

From Survivor to Advocate: Why Control Alt Delete Exists

For Laura Pahules, the founder of Control Alt Delete, the “Mary Ann” trend hits close to home. When she needed to escape, she didn’t have a Mary Ann—a person to step in and help her when she was most vulnerable. That experience shaped her life’s mission.

Because she didn’t have a Mary Ann, Laura became one. Through Control Alt Delete, she has now stood in that role for thousands of Survivors, ensuring that when someone is ready to flee abuse, they are not left to figure it out alone. Her journey is a powerful reminder that out of pain can come purpose, and that no Survivor should ever have to escape without someone on their side.

What the “Mary Ann” Trend Teaches Us

The power of the “Mary Ann” trend lies in its ability to spark conversation. It reminds us that while abuse thrives in silence, Survivors grow stronger when we listen, support, and believe them. It shows that there is a community ready to rally behind those who are suffering, and it challenges us all to be part of the solution.

How You Can Help

• Educate yourself and others about the signs of domestic violence.

• Share resources on your social media so Survivors know where to turn.

• Support organizations like Control Alt Delete that provide life-saving assistance.

• Be a safe person—listen without judgment and believe Survivors when they come forward.

The “Mary Ann” trend may live on TikTok, but its message is real and urgent: No one should have to escape alone. Thanks to people like Laura and organizations like Control Alt Delete, Survivors have someone ready to step in and say, “I’ve got you. You are not alone.”

If you have TikTok do a search for Mary Ann Trend. It is powerful and shows the importance of organizations like Control Alt Delete.