Survivors often want to change things for others so that no one else in the future suffers in the ways that they have.
Sometimes we find trying to change things for others is empowering and can lead to our own personal growth, help us reclaim our sense of self and redefine what is and is not acceptable to us, and support our recovery.
Changemakers
This our peer support community for Survivor Activists.
It is for Survivors who want to connect or work with us in research, peer support, training, campaigning, advocacy or any of our other Survivor-led projects.
If this sounds like you, or like something you might be interested in exploring, you will find a warm welcome in Changemakers, our community of Survivor Activists.
If you have an idea to change your pain into power to help other Survivors, or want to get involved with any of our projects we’d love to hear from you.
Self Care IS Activism
Not every Survivor wants to be an activist and that’s absolutely fine. Our abuse doesn’t define us and for many of us, just surviving the abuse and recovering from the trauma takes all of our energy and time.
As Audre Lourde said in her 1988 book of essays “A Burst of Light”:
Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.
Our Charter
for Engaging Abuse Survivors in projects, research & service development
Our Charter sets out the principles that guide all of our activism, projects and work with Survivors.
It is is a reflection of our commitment to ensuring that Survivor engagement is safe, empowering, meaningful and inclusive, and that survivors’ voices, experiences and expertise are valued throughout every stage of our work.
Planning A Project / Activity With Survivors?
If you are planning or running a project or activity with survivors, we can help you to ensure your practice is safe and anti-abusive, based on the charter.
We can also help you to recruit Survivor participants through our Changemakers community.
Campaigns We’re Currently Supporting
Personal Health Budgets Campaign
We believe every adult Survivor of childhood abuse should have access to the support they need.
We will include your message in our upcoming Ribbons of Truth events as part of our activism to highlight the experiences and voices of Survivors and their allies.
Activism & Safeguarding Within Church & Faith Communities
We have a growing community of practice for Survivors and allies interested in promoting survivors voices and trauma-competency in churches and faith communities.
This includes work with Survivors of faith-based abuse, and Survivors whose faith is significant in their experiences of abuse and healing.
Social Justice Call for An Innovative Commissioning Pathway
This report is addressed especially to the people who decide what help can be offered to CSA Survivors: the Commissioners and service managers within the NHS and Social Care systems.
We also call on all other practitioners who work with Survivors, as well as other Survivors, families and allies, to read this and support our social justice call.
