Who We Are
Stop The Hurt is an educational resource for all people as they seek to develop healthy relationships with peers, partners, family, and themselves. We believe all relationships should be based on mutual respect and equality. Our hope is to create conversations around consent, healthy relationships, peaceful communication, and self-compassion. Together we can #StopTheHurt
A Project of HCWC
StopTheHurt is a project of HCWC, based in Central Texas. The Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center (HCWC) is a local non-profit who offers free and confidential services to men, women and children who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse living in Hays and Caldwell Counties. Services are available in English and Spanish. Learn more at HCWC.org
Meet the Team
Kiara Nicholson
Prevention Coordinator
Kiara is a full-time cat lady with a passion for social justice. At HCWC, she is the Primary Prevention Coordinator – facilitating conversations with adolescents and adults on fostering healthier relationships and ways to make the world a safer, more equitable place. Kiara is a proud alum of Texas State University where she received her bachelor’s degree in Applied Sociology. Her passions include social change, youth activism, LGBTQ activism, and crafting. She doesn’t like taking pictures, but she does love Bitmojis.
Favorite Quote: “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” – Dr. Seuss, The Lorax
Favorite Food: It’s too hard to pick one! But it has to be vegan.
Favorite Band: Paramore
Advice you would give your younger self: If your relationship doesn’t make you feel good about yourself, it’s not a relationship you want to be in. Work on the relationships with people who make you feel good! Including the one you have with yourself. Always have your own back.
Where to find Kiara: Taking a nap, hanging out with her twin sister, or with a cat.
Megan Osborne
Digital Educator
Megan is passionate about prevention education and community. She strongly believes in social justice and ending violence. Megan works as a digital educator at HCWC where she uses social media, our podcast, and community presentations to promote gender equality, advocacy, consent, and healthy relationships. She is also passionate about advocating for peace, equality, and youth empowerment. She enjoys research, watching movies, playing roller derby, and spending time at the river with family.
Favorite Quote: “Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans” – John Lennon
Favorite Food: Tacos
Favorite Bands: What’s So Not, Calvin Harris, Empire of the Sun
Advice you would give your younger self: Know your worth and don’t tolerate people who don’t treat you the way you deserve to be treated. Be brave and speak out even if your voice shakes.
Where to find Megan: At the river with her family or playing roller derby.
Kirsten Brotze
Prevention Educator
Kirsten is a water bug and “lazy adventurer” whose passions include social justice, deep conversations, being outside, and taking naps. She is the Prevention Educator for Hays County at HCWC, where she provides resources and awareness for healthy relationships, intimate partner violence, and sexual assault to adolescents and the community. Kirsten believes we can create safer communities by encouraging empathy and providing education to prevent violence and injustice. Kirsten graduated with her BA from the University of Colorado in Boulder and is hopeful to obtain her master’s in professional counseling in the future. Kirsten spends most of her free time in her garden with her cat and two dogs, listening to audiobooks, swimming, napping, or planning the next camping trip.
Favorite Quote: I quote movies. Anything 90’s Adam Sandler or Zoolander.
Favorite Food: Fries
Favorite Bands: Better question, Favorite Books: Educated, Rising Out of Hatred, The Giver of Stars, Cilka’s Journey, The Nickel Boys, The Hate U Give, I’m Still Here, No Visible Bruises, Yearbook, Braving the Wilderness, and counting…
Advice you would give your younger self: Your relationship with yourself is the most important one you will ever have. How you view and treat others is a reflection of yourself, so do the internal work. Always choose empathy for those around you, while also respecting yourself enough to set healthy boundaries. Relationships should be mutual. You deserve love, and kindness.
Where to find Kirsten: In her backyard, in a body of water, or camping. Sometimes hiking, sometimes napping in a hammock.
Nathan Thompson
Creative Projects Coordinator
Nathan is a graphic designer and digital educator who loves the outdoors, kombucha, and making people happy. He has a BFA in Communication Design from Texas State University and loves designing logos, print materials, and websites. His true passions exist in nature and spending as much time as he can outside — mostly in his kayak at the river.