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.

Latest

Finding the balance: Rape and sexual abuse in the media

Television and the media can be a valuable medium for sharing stories and highlighting societal issues and events. However, with this comes a moral responsibility to support and protect those in the audience who may be personally affected by the subject being explored.
Trauma-Informed Educator (TIE) Quality Mark

A Trauma-Informed Educator (TIE) quality mark from The Survivors Trust shows that your university, college or school understands the impact of trauma and supports those who disclose harassment, abuse or bullying.
Trauma in the Workplace & Education

In workplace and educational settings, trauma from experiences of bullying, sexual abuse, harassment and assault impact an individual's mental health, social relationships, work or studies, and even their physical health.
#CheckWithMeFirst Service User Survey

If you are a survivor living in London, we want to hear about your experiences of NHS healthcare services so that we can help to make these services more accessible to survivors of rape, sexual assault and sexual abuse.

Find Specialist Support in your Area

The Survivors Trust has 120 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.
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.
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.
I didn't marry a monster

Marital ‘rape’ is a hidden recurring issue which people, mostly women, are reluctant to open up about. This video created by Ola and her partner Olu highlights the taboo issue and reminds those affected that help is available.
"It'll only take ten minutes"

"For him it was just ten minutes of his life and meant nothing. For me, it has affected the rest of mine ever since." Josephine shares her story in the hopes to inspire other survivors to not be ashamed to share their story.
Jessica's story

Jessica shares her story of sexual assault and rape and how she started her journey of healing.
Who We Are

The Survivors Trust is the largest umbrella agency for specialist sexual violence support services in Europe. Our 124 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.
Our Helpline

Our free, national helpline provides information, advice and emotional support to all survivors of rape, sexual abuse and violence, and childhood sexual abuse. No matter when the abuse took place, we're here to support you.
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.
Independent Sexual Violence Adviser Practitioner Diploma Programme

Independent Sexual Violence Advisers (ISVAs) provide emotional support and guidance for anyone that has experienced sexual violence at any point in their lives. Our accredited training focuses on a survivor focused ethos, meaning that we train our ISVAs to have their clients needs at the centre of all of their work.

Survivor stories

Jessica's story

Girl with the Sword

"It'll only take ten minutes"

I am Capable of Loving Too.

I Am A Survivor

'YOU' will not define me

We are healing. We are not alone

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

I don’t like to call myself a survivor. I have lived through childhood sexual abuse.

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

I am not ashamed, I am brave

My Poem