Ben Nevis challenge
Donation protected
On the 17th July I intend climbing Ben Nevis as part of a weeks walking holiday. Given the fact I am taking on such a big climb I decided to use the opportunity to raise money for a not for profit community interest company Voicing CSA. https://voicingcsa.ukhttps://voicingcsa.uk
As a survivor of CSA and ritual abuse I know first hand how much these smaller companies help survivors but are frequently overlooked when it comes to say government funding. They do much appreciated work with survivors and in some case more work than national charities.
I attended my first Voicing CSA event in Bristol in the summer of 2017. I had avoided survivor orientated events up until this point as I feared I would be triggered by hearing other survivors speaking their truth. Still I felt it was the right time for me to become part of the survivor community. I was very nervous on the day and nearly cancelled. I’m very glad to say I attended the event.
On that day I was greeted and made to feel instantly welcomed by Phil Lafferty - the founder of Voicing CSA and also by Chris Tuck from Survivors of Abuse. I was introduced to many brave survivors and people who were working to support survivors on their journey to recovery. For one of the first times in my life I felt accepted and realised I wasn’t alone. There is a level of understanding amongst fellow survivors that can not be found amongst those who haven’t suffered abuse and this understanding was felt at the event.
Not only was I welcomed at the event I was inspired to speak at the event reading out a poem regarding my abuse. This was a huge step for me as I had never spoken out at a public event before. Not only did I speak out at the event I shared my video publicly. https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DlTClj2y3zmU&h=AT2fKWPMd6laimbzaivVEhibZrBq3TI4chi60NAeAgsomjecbEXTHqaNpO0AB-eyPVwq8Cu29lk7n3ygHMH0JRNZZXgrIJgchkC7ERpx0onsC28EeOgnr4D4CvgboTYexsFzWl0g&s=1
Up until this point I had only shared my story with the few close people in my life. I had felt isolated and felt like I lived a life shielded by secrecy. Voicing CSA changed this. Encouraging me to find my voice and this has lead me to speak out more publicly over the last year. This has been by taking part in Facebook lives and also talking about my dissociative disorder at a mental health awareness week. I have learnt I do not need to be silent, that sharing my story is healing and that by sharing my story I encourage others to do the same. Silence is a abusers best friend. Voicing CSA gives survivors a platform and a voice to speak out which will help prevent further abuse. Without voicing csa I don’t feel I would of had the confidence to do what I have done over the past year.
Voicing CSA does not receive any government funding. All events are free to those who want to attend. Lunch is provided by volunteers in Loughborough so that no one goes hungry at a meeting and is free. Any food left over is given out on the streets to the homeless.
Voicing CSA is a community interest company that holds meetings across England and Wales helping victims and survivors of child sexual abuse and exploitation. Many feel isolated and alone and live with the effects of abuse and it can have devastating effects on the whole of a survivors life.
The meetings are a source of encouragement and support as we build a network and community around the country, many survivors and victims go on to share their abuse with the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse to help shape the future of child safety and safeguarding. https://www.iicsa.org.uk
I would like to raise as much as possible for this company and at the same time help survivors who rely on this service be able to continue to receive much needed support that is lacking from the likes of the NHS.
Monies raised would help towards funding the meetings which are held across England and Wales. Receipts can be provided if needed.
My life often feels like I’m climbing a mountain to overcome the abuse I endured. By climbing mountains to help others gives me a much needed break from my daily battle embroiled by complex mental health issues. It also allows me to help others support other survivors. I can’t work directly with survivors. By fundraising I ensure others can work directly with survivors.
Thank you for reading my story. All donations no matter how big or small are much appreciated.
* For safety reasons the guide holds the right to alter, change or cancel the climb depending on factors beyond control such as bad weather.
M Robinson.
As a survivor of CSA and ritual abuse I know first hand how much these smaller companies help survivors but are frequently overlooked when it comes to say government funding. They do much appreciated work with survivors and in some case more work than national charities.
I attended my first Voicing CSA event in Bristol in the summer of 2017. I had avoided survivor orientated events up until this point as I feared I would be triggered by hearing other survivors speaking their truth. Still I felt it was the right time for me to become part of the survivor community. I was very nervous on the day and nearly cancelled. I’m very glad to say I attended the event.
On that day I was greeted and made to feel instantly welcomed by Phil Lafferty - the founder of Voicing CSA and also by Chris Tuck from Survivors of Abuse. I was introduced to many brave survivors and people who were working to support survivors on their journey to recovery. For one of the first times in my life I felt accepted and realised I wasn’t alone. There is a level of understanding amongst fellow survivors that can not be found amongst those who haven’t suffered abuse and this understanding was felt at the event.
Not only was I welcomed at the event I was inspired to speak at the event reading out a poem regarding my abuse. This was a huge step for me as I had never spoken out at a public event before. Not only did I speak out at the event I shared my video publicly. https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DlTClj2y3zmU&h=AT2fKWPMd6laimbzaivVEhibZrBq3TI4chi60NAeAgsomjecbEXTHqaNpO0AB-eyPVwq8Cu29lk7n3ygHMH0JRNZZXgrIJgchkC7ERpx0onsC28EeOgnr4D4CvgboTYexsFzWl0g&s=1
Up until this point I had only shared my story with the few close people in my life. I had felt isolated and felt like I lived a life shielded by secrecy. Voicing CSA changed this. Encouraging me to find my voice and this has lead me to speak out more publicly over the last year. This has been by taking part in Facebook lives and also talking about my dissociative disorder at a mental health awareness week. I have learnt I do not need to be silent, that sharing my story is healing and that by sharing my story I encourage others to do the same. Silence is a abusers best friend. Voicing CSA gives survivors a platform and a voice to speak out which will help prevent further abuse. Without voicing csa I don’t feel I would of had the confidence to do what I have done over the past year.
Voicing CSA does not receive any government funding. All events are free to those who want to attend. Lunch is provided by volunteers in Loughborough so that no one goes hungry at a meeting and is free. Any food left over is given out on the streets to the homeless.
Voicing CSA is a community interest company that holds meetings across England and Wales helping victims and survivors of child sexual abuse and exploitation. Many feel isolated and alone and live with the effects of abuse and it can have devastating effects on the whole of a survivors life.
The meetings are a source of encouragement and support as we build a network and community around the country, many survivors and victims go on to share their abuse with the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse to help shape the future of child safety and safeguarding. https://www.iicsa.org.uk
I would like to raise as much as possible for this company and at the same time help survivors who rely on this service be able to continue to receive much needed support that is lacking from the likes of the NHS.
Monies raised would help towards funding the meetings which are held across England and Wales. Receipts can be provided if needed.
My life often feels like I’m climbing a mountain to overcome the abuse I endured. By climbing mountains to help others gives me a much needed break from my daily battle embroiled by complex mental health issues. It also allows me to help others support other survivors. I can’t work directly with survivors. By fundraising I ensure others can work directly with survivors.
Thank you for reading my story. All donations no matter how big or small are much appreciated.
* For safety reasons the guide holds the right to alter, change or cancel the climb depending on factors beyond control such as bad weather.
M Robinson.
Organizer
Michelle Et Al Robinson
Organizer
