So last week I was listened to by some lovely people at the Truth Project which is part of The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA). I felt it was important to have my story listened to as IICSA is looking into where children have been failed in the past by organisations with a view to changing current behaviour for the protection of children today and tomorrow.
A friend of mine had travelled to tell them in person her experience and called me to ask that I contact them with mine. I was able to do this by telephone, however there is much more to it than just giving my experience.
Counselling was offered before and after, the people listening to my experience were very understanding and empathetic. There was no pressure to speak and no time limitations in place. After I was asked if I needed any counselling and after declining assured that I could still call if I felt differently over the next couple of days.
This is such an important Inquiry, and the Truth project is an important part of it. Organisations today are still failing children who are being abused and this needs to end. I hope that IICSA will be able to identify all these failings and ensure all organisations properly protect children associating with them.
More info on the Truth project can be found here: https://www.truthproject.org.uk/i-will-be-heard