Here you can read some stories of survival from people we have supported across many of our services.
Their names have been changed to protect their identities but their words offer hope and inspiration: there is life after abuse.
If you have been affected by any of these issues, please visit our support service pages to find out how we can help you.
Chloe had been in a relationship with her partner for seven years. For most of the relationship, he had been controlling, threatening and emotionally abusive. He was constantly paranoid that Chloe was having affairs. He would follow her, track her…
Read storyCarol was supported by our Independent Sexual Violence Advice (ISVA) Service.
“I have been receiving support from my ISVA since September 2016. She helped me to make a decision about reporting by giving me all my options. This made me feel like I had a choice and had to do w... Read story
Jawad is a male survivor of childhood sexual abuse. He wrote this piece to speak to other male survivors of abuse, knowing how difficult it can be to come forward. He wanted to encourage them to speak out and start their own healing journey. Read story
Claire grew up in a home where domestic abuse was part of everyday life. She saw her father abuse, control and hit her mother regularly. This was extremely traumatic for her and although after some years her parents separated, she experienced flashbacks, anxiety and d...
Read storyTina is from India. She married her husband in a forced marriage, and was abused by both him and his family. She became pregnant and worried for her child. She escaped from her abusers and was referred to us and supported in our refuge. There she lived alongside other women and children who had esca...
Read storyAmelia was supported by our Modern Slavery service. Her story began when she was trafficked from her home in an Eastern European country. Her ‘boyfriend’ told her that he could get them both jobs in the UK. He went ahead and sent plane tickets for her to join him. However, when she arrived at th...
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