Survivors' Story

I was sexually abused from the ages of 10 to 17, and last year just after I turned 26, a number of events happened that lead me to disclose my experiences to a few people.  The way they dealt with it changed my life. I chose to confide in my university lecturer and two of my closest friends.  The first person I disclosed to was my university lecturer, she was absolutely incredible.  She was sensitive yet always professional; she looked into all my modules to see if there was anything that was particularly sensitive and liaised between myself and all the other lecturers if there was anything I had difficulty with.  She convinced me to go to counselling and her door was always open if I needed ten minutes.  She never disclosed anything I told her without speaking to me first and as a result became the first person I trusted in my life and has led to me bow being able to trust others.

The subtle yet overwhelming support from these people, lead me to complete my degree with a 2:1, I have been working in France the last year and I have just earned a place on one of the best graduate schemes in the UK which I will be starting in September.  I am convinced that I would never have been able to do this without them.  Even a year after I have left university, my lecturer is always there when I need her and I could never thank her enough.   If this could at least convince one more person that often immense kindness and support comes from the most unexpected places then it is worth sharing.

Anonymous.