confidence around talking about child sex abuse

I was sexually abused as a child from the age of 8, and ever since then I have been navigating conversations about it - with other children, with romantic partners, with teenage friends, with family, with guardians and colleagues.

On this journey, I have learned what true support means. But I have learned this through exhausting conversations of managing people's reactions, of justifying and educating people about my silence, of trying not to feel like a burden, and of persisting, despite many barriers, to prevent abuse and support those I care about. I can't (and don't) blame anyone for their reactions, because as a society we do not talk about this issue.

The next stage of this journey is to come out publically. To share elements of my story in the hope that you are better prepared for when a conversation about child sexual abuse happens to you. For the past 2 years, I've been applying for funding for a project which will educate people on how to have more approachable and supportive conversations on child sexual abuse. No one would fund me. No one would help me to talk about this issue.

Then last September, Utopia granted me £2,000 to produce a series of 6 podcasts and webisodes (video episodes). It's been great to start me off, but it cost £500 to shoot and launch one episode and we need more funds. Everyone is working very hard for below average pay and I want to be able to pay my crew and participants what they are deserve.