read full account of Bryonys experienceBecause Bryony was abused at home, she felt there was ‘nowhere to hide’
Bryony was sexually abused for five years in her family home.
Her father was an angry and intimidating figure, and she had no adult she could trust or confide in.
read full account of Dennys experienceDenny hopes that there is better protection today for young people in custody than there was for him
Criminal behaviour, alcohol abuse and violence was a regular feature in Denny’s family life when he was growing up in the 1970s and 80s.
He spent time in a youth detention centre as a teenager, where he was subjected to violent assaults and sexual abuse.
read full account of Anitas experienceAnita was sexually abused by a relative. Justice was only done after many years and family discord
As a young child, Anita was regularly taken to visit her grandparents. On these visits, a family member would take her off to a different room and sexually abuse her.
She had a medical condition which meant that she was frequently in hospital. During one consultation she told the doctor that she ‘hurting down below’. Instead of reporting this, the doctor advised Anita’s mother to ‘blow on’ the parts that were sore. Anita’s mother thought that Anita was being ‘all dramatic’ and she continued to be taken to her grandparents’ home, where her family member would be.
read full account of Philida-May s experiencePhilida-May doesn’t know how old she was when she was abused; in care no one marked her birthdays
Philida-May was three years old when her mum died, and she has no memory of her.
She was sent to a care home where she experienced no warmth, encouragement or joy, only neglect and abuse.
read full account of Lucys experienceLucy’s trauma has caused lifelong problems for herself and her family
Hospitalised at the age of 11 years because of an assault by her mother, Lucy was taken into care and placed with a foster family. There, she was raped repeatedly by a violent man and his two teenage sons.
Lucy’s attempts to seek justice have not succeeded and she has suffered severe mental health difficulties. Despite this, she has managed to build strong and happy relationships with her family and loved ones.
read full account of Nataliyas experienceNataliya sedated herself with over-the-counter medication to try to stop her stepfather abusing her
Nataliya was born into a Traveller family and a strict upbringing barred her from mixing with non-Travellers or anyone of the opposite sex.
She was sexually abused for more than 10 years by a family member.
read full account of Wasibas experienceAs a survivor of sexual abuse, Wasiba now challenges the attitudes of men in her family
Wasiba was brought up in a large Muslim family. When she was eight years old her father deserted them.
He had been violent towards Wasiba’s mother, and she says it was a relief to be away from him. But older male cousins and their friends began to sexually abuse her, threatening to tell her family if she disobeyed them.
read full account of Gabriels experienceGabriel feels that more support might have stopped his life spiralling out of control
Gabriel and his sibling were sexually abused by their father.
His father was given a character reference by his church and Gabriel thinks this helped ensure he received a very short sentence.
read full account of Kimberlys experienceKimberly’s father sexually abused her during her childhood, and again when she was an adult
Kimberly grew up in a very large family, where the children were not given any love or support.
Social services were aware that her parents were abusing alcohol but did not spot that sexual abuse was also occurring in the home.
read full account of Jorges experienceDecades after he was abused, Jorge says ‘I have managed to become the person I want and need to be’
When he was growing up, Jorge dreamed of flying in the RAF. When he met a pilot, it seemed ‘like a dream come true’.
But, he says, ‘things changed quickly’.
read full account of Angels experienceAngel says that being let down by the system can make a child feel abused all over again
Angel was sexually abused by her father for as long as she can remember, up until she was in her early teens.
She would like an apology from the authorities for mistakes that were made in dealing with her case.
read full account of Mileys experienceMiley says she was happy in care because she had clothes and was allowed to play
Miley was fostered when she was a small child as both her parents had been in prison, but she was returned to them.
She was physically and emotionally abused by her mother every day and sexually abused by her father from the age of nine.
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