Trigger warning: Material may trigger some painful memories

Speaking out

Every survivor is unique and so are the processes by which healing occurs. Despite everyone's uniqueness, we can also identify with others' experiences and so we hope that amongst the information and personal accounts on our site, you will be able to find something that resonates with you.

We encourage survivors to find their voice and share their experiences. We welcome all submissions either as short autobiographical pieces or as creative pieces.

Creative pieces

We invite survivors to send in any creative works to be published on these pages either anonymously or named (please indicate clearly what name you want to be publicized - and copy the following text into the email you send us: "I [insert name] give NAPAC permission to publish my creative works on their website and use it in NAPAC literature"). You can submit these here.

NAPAC makes every effort to remove all identifying information. Names of perpetrators are only used where there has been a conviction in a court of law. NAPAC is not responsible for the accuracy of the stories.

ART

Bridget Sterling
Bridget studied at Kingston University, graduating with a B.A. (Hons) Fine Art. She says, "My work is centred around the darker side of childhood, often dealing with issues of abuse. I look at the experience of the child and examine its link to the psychological development of the adult. I am also interested in the sexuality of the child and how it is perceived; is it frightening and uncomfortable and if so, my work provokes the question 'Why?' My work it is often confrontational and provocative. The questions I pose are difficult ones to ask never mind answer; yet think about them I feel we must. In this respect my work can be quite political in the underlying statements they make regarding our perceptions towards children and child raising. I work mainly in oil paint but also work with print, bronze, photograph and video."
John Harrison
John has spent the last few years trying to come to terms with the fact that he was abused as a child. He expresses how he feels best through writing, pictures, music and other creative mediums. His advice to other survivors is to "do what you do for you. Don't let anyone put you down. It is important because you are. Take care of yourself."
Sian Church
Sian studied at Norwich School of Art graduating with B.A. (Hons) in fine art. She now divides her time between Cardiff and West Wales where much of the inspiration for her work comes from her delight in the countryside and coastline. Sian is an abuse survivor and says "If I've learnt anything from my experience it's to believe in yourself and be true to yourself, even when others may try to discourage you. Have patience and travel your path, taking the time to notice the 'daisies' along the way. That is what my paintings are all about, a journey where beauty and peace eclipse all else."

ARTICLES NAPAC publishes articles written for, and by, survivors.

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Jane Andrews - Our little secret

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AUDIO VISUAL (MUSIC, RADIO, VIDEO)

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Music by Carol Douglas click here for Lyrics
Carol Douglas is a songwriter in many genres and one of her deeper ones "The tallest chair" is about child abuse.
A video of the song is also on her website www.caroldouglas.net view the video http://www.youtube.com/embed/xQtvdj9XjRE?rel=0

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Music by Paul Barns

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Music by Terence McLeod http://www.reverbnation.com/terencemcleod

LETTERS Writing letters can be a great way of saying what we want to say. Sometimes we write letters with the intention of sending them. Sometimes we write them just for us. Sometimes we write to those who have abused us. Sometimes we write to those who were meant to be protecting us. And sometimes we write to our inner child - the child that we once were. We invite survivors to send us their letters to be published on these pages either anonymously or named (please indicate clearly what name you want to be publicized - and copy the following text into the email you send us: "I [insert name] give NAPAC permision to publish my letter on their website and use it in NAPAC literature"). You can submit these here.

Julie W

POETRY AND OTHER WRITINGS

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