Survivor stories

It is not uncommon for survivors to feel alone and isolated. For many, hearing and sharing stories can play a vital role in their recovery from trauma. All of these stories are written directly by survivors and therefore contain triggering material and the occasional swear word.

If you would like to share your story, please get in touch with us via [email protected].

If you are considering whether to waive your right to anonymity, take a look at the Independent Press Standards Organisation's useful guide for survivors of sexual offences considering talking to the media. The guide outlines your legal right to anonymity and what do to if you are unhappy about the media's coverage of your story.

The Truth Project

The Truth Project is part of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse. Read more

We all have the power to make change no matter how powerless we sometimes feel

Erika talks about her own experiences of healing and how these inspired her to support other survivors. Read more

There is a lot of light at the end of the tunnel

Phillipene talks about her own experience of childhood sexual abuse and how taking risks gave her her life back. Read more

A Plea from the Heart: Survivors Speak out and Seek Support

Ian tells his story of childhood sexual abuse and urges survivors to speak out and access support like he did. Read more

My Experience of EMDR & Treating Trauma

Steph talks about how Eye-Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy helped her to heal after her experience of rape. Read more

My Poem

Andreena wrote a poem about her experience of childhood sexual abuse from the age of 5. Read more

I am not ashamed, I am brave

Charlotte kept her abuse a secret for 11 years. Now she wants to tell other survivors that there is nothing to be ashamed of. Read more

Raped, Victim, Feminist; labels I hate, boxes I tick

Jane talks about her own experience of abuse and how it has affected her life. Read more

Things CAN change, You Are NOT anyone's Victim.

Amber talks about her own experience of child sexual abuse and how counselling helped her to gain a new lease of life. Read more

Latest

'What Works; patient and stakeholder engagement for Sexual Assault Referral Centres’

NHS England worked with service users and key partners to develop the ‘What Works; patient and stakeholder engagement for Sexual Assault Referral Centres’ report.
IICSA Victims and Survivors Consultative Panel – Applications Open

The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) has sent out a call for applications from survivors of childhood sexual abuse to join the Victims and Survivors Consultative Panel (VSCP)
Trust House Reading ISVA

Area covered: Reading
RSVP

All survivors. Area covered: Birmingham and Solihull

Most read

Find Specialist Support in your Area

The Survivors Trust has 129 member organisations based in the UK & Ireland which provide specialist support for women, men & children who have survived rape, sexual violence or childhood sexual abuse.
Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC)

SARCs (sexual assault referral centres) are specialist medical and forensic services for anyone who has been raped or sexually assaulted. They are designed to be comfortable and multi-functional, providing private space for interviews and forensic examinations, and some may also offer sexual health and counselling services.
National Helplines
Petition: Make all sexual abuse offences exceptions under the double jeopardy rules

"Many victims will never be able to obtain justice or closure from the criminal courts as the law currently stands as their charges are not deemed "serious" or "severe" enough to be an exception to the double jeopardy rules."
About Sexual Violence & Abuse

Sexual violence and abuse is any behaviour of a sexual nature which is unwanted and takes place without consent or understanding. This includes rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment, childhood sexual abuse, female genital mutilation and more.
Who We Are

The Survivors Trust is the largest umbrella agency for specialist sexual violence support services in Europe. Our 129 agencies provide information, advice, support and therapy to over 80,000 individual survivors each year. Our services work with victims and survivors of all ages, male and female, of all forms of sexual violence, sexual abuse and sexual exploitation.
Independent Sexual Violence Advisers (ISVA)

Many specialist support agencies offer an Independent Sexual Violence Adviser (ISVA) service to victims/survivors of rape and sexual assault. An ISVA is trained to look after your needs, and to ensure that you receive care and understanding.
My Experience of EMDR & Treating Trauma

Steph talks about how Eye-Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy helped her to heal after her experience of rape.
London
The Effects of Sexual Violence

The long-term effects of sexual violence (whether that is childhood sexual abuse, sexual harassment, rape etc.) can include many emotional, psychological and physical conditions. The experience of sexual assault or abuse at any age and whether male or female can have devastating effects on every aspect of a person’s being and life – on their mind, their body, their behaviour, thoughts and feelings.

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