The Esperanza Dance Project believes in eradicating stigma, secrecy and shame associated with childhood sexual violence. Taking its name from the Spanish word for “hope,” Esperanza Dance Project was started in January 2011 by choreographer and director Beth Braun, a professional dancer, high school dance educator and mother of a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. Believing that the expressive nature of dance has the power to evoke emotion for long-lasting impact that transforms into positive change, Beth created EDP based on her personal experiences. The Esperanza Dance Project is a community-based collaboration that uses a multimedia dance performance to educate about the issue of childhood sexual violence and deliver a message of hope, strength and empowerment.