“An outpouring of love and support from survivors”

In the moments where you are doubting yourself, your truths, your body and mind, just remember that this is YOUR body, YOUR mind and YOUR TRUTH. Abusers take so much from us. We can’t let them take our truth. My truth is that for years during and after the abuse, I felt like I didn’t have a safe space to share the burden of what happened to me. I had to carry the weight on my shoulders everyday, everywhere I went. I couldn’t speak about what happened to me out of fear of public perception, being pulled away from my family, and most importantly that the abuse could get much worse.

In those moments of doubt and fear, I realised that the fear was one of the only remaining thing my abuser had to control me. I doubted myself and questioned myself continuously thinking ‘did that really happen?’ or ‘was it actually just my brain tricking me?’ but again, that was the game my abuser liked to play. That was until I decided to report it and straight away announce I was waiving my right to anonymity.

Since sharing my story, seeing my face and hearing my voice all over the newspapers, news and radio, I have had nothing short of an outpouring of love and support from survivors. Suddenly, I didn’t have to keep this secret, I could finally begin to heal and piece my life back together. Finally, I didn’t have to do it alone. I could finally start to live my life, not just go through the motions and survive anymore. If you’re reading this and you feel like you’re resonating with any of the above please know 1) it is not your fault 2) you are not alone 3) whether you choose to waive your right to anonymity or not, there will be a community of people for you here always.