Survivors' Stories
Every survival story is a testament of strength and determination. These freal-life experiences from survivors of abuse, addiction, and violence demonstrate the transformative and healing potential of life. We wish to inspire hope and create an environment where others could gain the strength to take the first step towards recovery by sharing their journeys.
“Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.”
– Victor Hugo
Rebecca
[https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy9qjvg3eweo]On Caldey Island, a young girl named Rebecca endured horrific abuse at the hands of Father Thaddeus Kotik, a monk who preyed on children. Initially, Kotik gained Rebecca’s trust with treats and gifts, but he soon revealed his true nature. He would hold her tightly, using his rough grip to overpower her as he subjected her to sexual abuse.
The trauma left Rebecca with deep emotional scars that haunted her into adulthood. Struggling with self-loathing and despair, she faced years of pain, including self-harm and suicide attempts. After years of silence, she sought justice but received only a minimal civil claim in 2017, which felt like “hush money” without any real acknowledgement of her suffering. Rebecca’s storey is a heartbreaking testament to the lasting impact of abuse and the urgent need for accountability and support for survivors.
Emily Haythornthwaite
[https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crl81plp8nko]Emily Haythornthwaite, now 32 and a clinical psychologist, reflects on her traumatic childhood marked by severe abuse from her mother. At five, she felt such self-loathing that she cut her Barbie doll’s hair. The abuse escalated when she was ten, leading to sexual abuse that made her feel like her body was no longer her own.
After confiding in a teacher at 13, Emily sought help and found refuge in a hostel by 15. Despite gaining independence, she struggled with deep trauma. In 2022, she felt ready to pursue justice against her mother, but tragically, her mother took her own life just before the trial in 2023.Now, Emily shares her storey with organisations like NSPCC to raise awareness and encourage survivors to seek help, emphasising that healing is possible.
Juliet
[https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-22645330]On New Year’s Eve 2011, Juliet was attacked and raped by a stranger in an alleyway after leaving a bar in Manchester alone. Feeling vulnerable after her friend failed to show up, she had consumed a shot of alcohol and was escorted outside by the staff.
CCTV footage showed her outside the bar just before midnight, but she vanished for two hours. When she reappeared, she was staggering and in pain, initially unaware of the assault. The next day, she contacted the police, leading to a forensic examination at St Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre.
The investigation resulted in a DNA match with Mustafa Yussuf, who claimed the encounter was consensual. However, CCTV evidence showed he was sober during the attack. During the trial, Juliet bravely testified behind a screen, and Yussuf was found guilty and sentenced to nearly eight years in prison.
The Indian girls who survived being raped
[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-35379221]Manali, just 13 years old, was kidnapped by a man from her neighbouring village in Uttar Pradesh. He raped her behind a railway station in Maharashtra. After escaping before he could sell her to a brothel, she bravely reported the incident to the railway police. However, instead of receiving help, she was held in custody for 12 days and pressured to retract her complaint.
Rithika, at 15, was repeatedly raped by a man from her village while she went into the forest to defecate. Her mother found her bleeding and rushed her to the police, but they refused to file a complaint. Rithika now suffers from PTSD and has not spoken since the attack.
Vidya, 17, was abducted while returning home from school by a man from a higher caste. She was raped near a pond but received support from her family, who took her for medical tests and helped lodge a police complaint. Unfortunately, the perpetrator remains on the run.
Karishma, also 17, was raped by her landlord’s son. After becoming pregnant, she was thrown out by her mother and pressured to marry her rapist but refused. Now living in Kolkata with her son, she works as a hair stylist.
Neha, now 20, was raped eight years ago and forced to marry her attacker but was never accepted as his wife. A year later, her family lodged a police complaint against him.
Varsha, 15, was raped by a man who frequented the mango orchard where she worked. Initially threatened into silence, she eventually confided in her family, leading them to file a police complaint against her attacker.
Jennifer McCann, Hannah McLaughlan, and Hannah Reid
[https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-66634382]Three women—Jennifer McCann, Hannah McLaughlan, and Hannah Reid—were raped by the same man, Logan Doig, who was later convicted of multiple sexual offenses. During the trial, they felt treated as liars rather than victims, with Hannah McLaughlan describing the defense lawyer’s questioning as emotionally traumatic. Despite their painful experiences with the justice system, they found strength in each other and formed a support group called “Safe Space.” After Doig was sentenced to nine-and-a-half years in prison, the women hoped to inspire change in how victims are treated in court, advocating for reforms to improve the experience for future survivors.Rithika, at 15, was repeatedly raped by a man from her village while she went into the forest to defecate. Her mother found her bleeding and rushed her to the police, but they refused to file a complaint. Rithika now suffers from PTSD and has not spoken since the attack.
Jesse Thistle
[https://www.bbc.com/news/stories-55559382]Jesse Thistle’s life was marred by trauma and addiction from an early age. After being separated from his mother, he fell into homelessness and crime. At 23, he bravely informed the police about a murder committed by two men he barely knew, leading to their arrest. However, this decision put his life in danger, resulting in relentless threats and violence.
In a moment of despair, Jesse attempted suicide but survived. He later fell three-and-a-half storeys while trying to break into his brother’s apartment, suffering severe injuries. After recovering, he was incarcerated for robbery, which became a turning point. In prison, he received medical treatment and reignited his passion for learning, eventually becoming an assistant professor of Indigenous history at York University.
Dan Robinson
[https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c72pvp4dzqzo]Dan Robinson, a 30-year-old from Telford, battled severe addiction to cocaine and alcohol, spending up to £400 daily on drugs. His addiction began at 14, leading him to contemplate suicide as his mental health worsened.
In the depths of his struggle, Dan borrowed money from friends but eventually sought help through support groups. Now, he dedicates his time to assisting others in recovery as part of the Shropshire Recovery Partnership, hosting recovery groups and social events. Reflecting on his journey, Dan emphasises that reaching out for help saved his life and highlights the importance of sharing recovery storeys to inspire others.Varsha, 15, was raped by a man who frequented the mango orchard where she worked. Initially threatened into silence, she eventually confided in her family, leading them to file a police complaint against her attacker.
