HOUSTON – Women are reaching out from Florida, West Virginia and even Australia, asking two Texas friends questions that can be difficult to answer: How do I get out of an abusive relationship? Where can I turn for help?
For Kalynn Moran and her best friend, Kasey Davis, those messages are a sobering reminder of why they decided to share their experiences with domestic violence.
Davis’ experience surviving an assault by her husband inspired “Yellow,” a song Moran wrote and recorded with her husband, Nate. The song tells the story of a safe word the two friends established to signal when one of them needed help.
Now, the friends have launched The Project Yellow, a website designed to share survivor stories and connect people with resources.
They say the response has reached far beyond anything they imagined.
“It’s eye-opening, but it’s also really sad,” Davis said of the messages they’ve received from people facing similar situations.
Both women are domestic violence survivors. But when Davis found herself in danger, Moran was the friend who answered her call for help. That experience became the inspiration for a song and, eventually, a broader effort to help others.
A word that meant ‘I need you’
Before the assault, Moran and Davis had agreed on a code word they could use if one of them was in danger.
They chose yellow because it was Davis’ favorite color. It was simple, easy to remember and subtle enough that a message containing the word wouldn’t necessarily raise suspicion.
If either woman sent it, the other would know something was wrong.
When Davis used the word to signal she needed help, Moran knew what it meant.
The experience left a lasting impression on both women.
Moran’s husband, Nate, saw what his wife and her best friend were going through and wrote a song inspired by Davis’ experience and the meaning behind their code word.
Moran and Nate recorded the song together, releasing “Yellow” on Oct. 9 during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
For Davis, hearing the story transformed into music was deeply personal.
“With so much pain and so much tragedy that her and I had both been through and gotten through together, it spoke directly to us, it was our story,” Davis said.
The song captures the importance of having someone you trust, someone who will recognize when you need help and show up when it matters most.
Messages from people looking for a way out
After sharing their experiences and releasing the song, Moran and Davis began hearing from people who saw themselves in their story.
Through TikTok and Facebook, women and men have contacted them with personal stories and questions about leaving abusive relationships.
Some have reached out from Florida and West Virginia, asking how to prepare themselves to get out of dangerous situations. Others have contacted them from countries thousands of miles away, including Canada and Australia.
The women said they never expected their experiences to resonate with so many people.
For Davis, the messages have been eye-opening — but also heartbreaking.
The response has reinforced why the women believe it’s important to talk openly about domestic violence and the challenges survivors face when they feel trapped or don’t know where to turn.
Moran said breaking the cycle of abuse is one of the most important challenges survivors face.
Davis said having someone trustworthy to call can make a difference.
The friends also want people to understand the importance of planning ahead. A safety plan might include identifying someone trustworthy, establishing a code word, identifying a safe place to go or finding out which organizations can help.
The safest approach depends on the person’s circumstances, particularly if an abusive partner monitors their phone or online activity.
Building something beyond a song
The messages from survivors prompted Moran and Davis to create The Project Yellow.
The website shares their experiences alongside stories from other survivors. Moran said they also want to expand the resources available to help people seek assistance, leave abusive situations and rebuild their confidence.
For the women, getting out is only part of the journey. Rebuilding a sense of independence and self-worth matters, too.
They hope the project can help survivors find the resources they need to move forward and feel confident in their ability to build a life beyond an abusive relationship.
Amy Smith, senior director of operations and communications for the Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council, said the effort reflects something important about how survivors support one another.
“I think it is wonderful that survivors are helping other survivors,” Smith said. “Especially at this time when resources are scarce, it is nice to see survivors stepping up to help each other out.”
Smith said the code word Moran and Davis established is more than a symbol — it’s actually a recognized component of a domestic violence safety plan.
“What I really like is that they named their website and song with the code word they established when their friend was in trouble,” Smith said. “That is actually part of a domestic violence safety plan. A safety plan is essential to a survivor. You need a plan for when you stay and/or when you leave. Identify a place where the abuser doesn’t know about, establish a code word, have copies of all important documents for yourself and all of your children.”
Resources to help
Smith encouraged anyone seeking guidance on safety planning to visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24 hours a day at 800-799-7233. People can also text START to 88788 or visit thehotline.org to explore support options.
While friends can provide crucial support, people experiencing abuse may also need help from trained advocates who can work with them to develop a safety plan suited to their circumstances.
Harris County residents can also find local resources, shelter options and safety planning guidance through the Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council at hcdvcc.org .
Anyone in immediate danger should call 911 if it is safe to do so.
‘Find your yellow’
Moran and Davis never set out to build an international support network. They wanted to make something meaningful out of what they had experienced and survived.
But the messages from strangers have shown them how many people are searching for help, connection and reassurance that they aren’t alone.
For Moran, the song she created with Nate grew out of watching her best friend go through an experience no one should have to face. For Davis, it is a way to share her story and remind others that support is possible.
Together, they hope their work encourages people to recognize the signs of domestic violence, seek help when they need it and build connections with people they can trust.
When asked what she hopes someone experiencing domestic violence will take away from their journey, Davis offered a simple message:
“You’re not going to be alone. I mean, we’ll even be there. I mean, you’re going to have somebody. Find your yellow.”
More Stories Like This In Our Email Newsletter
