The Kavanagh Sisters Podcast
80 episodes - English - Latest episode: almost 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 1 ratingA series of discussions on how to overcome Childhood Sexual Abuse or Trauma based on the sister’s personal experience.
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Episodes
WHY ARE WE IGNORING THE WAR BEING WAGED ON INNOCENT CHILDREN IN THEIR OWN HOMES
August 26, 2022 13:50 - 7 minutes - 13.8 MBWhen Children at Risk in Ireland (CARI) got in touch with us some months ago and told us their waiting list was currently 5 years long, we were, as you can imagine, horrified. To think, any child who discloses they have been sexually abused are denied immediate help and support, is, and should be, shocking and abhorrent to everyone. These are children ranging in ages from 3 to 12 years old. Ireland has a history of failing to protect our children, yet we continue to stand by and watch thos...
Episode 40 - Coming Out the Other End!
March 15, 2022 11:13 - 24 minutes - 45.5 MBMarch 15th, 2022 Welcome back everyone to our first podcast in almost 2 years. As life is returning to some semblance of normality, we felt it was time to ease back into our work. The reason we stood back from social media for so long was purely about self-preservation. We all realised quickly into the pandemic, that we were each feeling triggered by all the restrictions that were in place and so, to protect ourselves and our mental health, we felt social media, podcasts and our website w...
Episode 39 - Jeffery Epstein : Filthy Rich
July 05, 2020 02:07 - 31 minutes - 57.4 MBTrigger Warning' if you or someone you know has been affected by sexual abuse please remember the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre 24-hour Helpline is open 1800 77 8888 In this week’s podcast (episode 39) we will once again be joined by Leona O’Callaghan, founder of Haven Hub and Sophia Murphy both survivors of childhood sexual abuse. We will talk about our reactions to the four-part Netflix docu-series - Jeffery Epstein: Filthy Rich and how we feel he managed to evade the authorities while sexu...
Episode 38 - Surviving Covid19 - Leona O'Callaghan, Sophia Murphy, Joyce, June & Paula Kavanagh
June 28, 2020 08:37 - 50 minutes - 91.9 MBTrigger Warning' if you or someone you know has been affected by sexual abuse please remember the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre 24-hour Helpline is open 1800 77 8888 In today’s podcast (episode 38) we are joined by Sophia Murphy, a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and Leona O Callaghan, founder of Haven Hub and also a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. Our conversations centre around how we each found that Covid19 restrictions triggered our childhood trauma. We talk about our increasing str...
Episode 37 - Maggie Oliver former Detective Constable in the GMP and Whistleblower in the Rochdale Scandal
June 21, 2020 08:18 - 45 minutes - 85.7 MBTrigger Warning' if you or someone you know has been affected by sexual abuse please remember the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre 24-hour Helpline is open 1800 77 8888 In todays’ podcast we talk to Maggie Oliver who is best known as the former Detective Constable in the Greater Manchester Police (GMP) who was the lead investigator and whistleblower in the Rochdale Sexual Abuse Scandal. While in the GMP, Maggie worked on two major child sex trafficking operations, Operation Augusta and later Oper...
Episode 36 - Dr. Joanne Nelson -Consultant Paediatrician, Medical Forensic Examiner & Clinical Director The Child & Adolescent Sexual Assault Treatment Service, Galway
June 14, 2020 08:14 - 42 minutes - 77.1 MBTrigger Warning' if you or someone you know has been affected by sexual abuse please remember the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre 24-hour Helpline is open 1800 77 8888 In today’s podcast (episode 36) we will be talking to Dr Joanne Nelson a Consultant Paediatrician in University Hospital Galway, a medical forensic examiner in child sexual assault cases and the Clinical Director of the Child and Adolescent Sexual Assault Treatment Service in Galway A Belfast woman, Joanne moved to Galway in 2008 ...
Audio of Blog - Triggered by Paula Kavanagh
June 12, 2020 19:44 - 9 minutes - 17.9 MBIn the past few weeks, I realised that the coping mechanisms I used as a child to survive my abuse were being triggered in response to the corona virus and the lockdown restrictions. Growing up I really struggled with anxiety that often manifested in anger. I hated not having any control over my life, and today, I find myself right back were it all began. The more the government continues to increase the restrictions that curtail my movements, interactions, and relationships, the more my res...
Episode 35 - J.P.O’Sullivan – Networks & Communications Manager & Ann Mara- Education Manager (Mercy Efforts for Child Protection Against Trafficking with the Hospitality Sector) MECPATHS
June 07, 2020 08:49 - 42 minutes - 78.2 MBTrigger Warning' if you or someone you know has been affected by sexual abuse please remember the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre 24-hour Helpline is open 1800 77 8888 In today’s podcast we will be talking to J.P.O’Sullivan, Network & Communications Manager and Ann Mara, Education Manager for MECPATHS. MECPATHS (Mercy Efforts for Child Protection Against Trafficking with the Hospitality Sector) is a social justice project that was established in 2013 as a response to the growing prevalence of Hu...
Wise Man - Guided Meditation by June Kavanagh
June 04, 2020 10:42 - 18 minutes - 33 MBIn this meditation you will go on a journey to meet a wise man that imparts some of his life lessons. Meditation can be described as a way of focusing your mind on a thought, mantra, or activity and is often used to achieve a mentally clear and emotionally clam states. For us meditation is a way to relax and can be a powerful tool to connect you with your inner peace. We know that not everyone likes to meditate, and some find it extremely difficult to sit and quite the mind. If you are new...
Episode 34- Barbara Scanlon (Spokesperson) & Anna Kavanagh (Founder) Alliance of Birth Mothers Campaigning for Justice (ABC)
May 31, 2020 08:26 - 43 minutes - 79.8 MBTrigger Warning' if you or someone you know has been affected by sexual abuse please remember the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre 24-hour Helpline is open 1800 77 8888 In today’s podcast (episode 34) we will be talking to Barbara Scanlon (Spokesperson) and Anna Kavanagh (Activist) of Alliance of Birth Mothers Campaigning for Justice. ABC was established in June 2019 by birth mothers who have difficulties in their engagement with The Child and Family Agency (Tusla), the Gardai and the Family Law ...
Episode 33 - Dr Lisa Cutbert - CEO - Prisoner Aid through Community Effort (PACE)
May 24, 2020 08:47 - 47 minutes - 87.8 MBTrigger Warning' if you or someone you know has been affected by sexual abuse please remember the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre 24-hour Helpline is open 1800 77 8888 In today’s podcast (episode 33) we will be talking to Lisa Cuthbert, CEO of Prisoner Aid Through Community Effort (PACE). Lisa has an extensive background in the criminal justice and social care field. As CEO of PACE since 1999, she has overseen the growth and development of PACE as the largest criminal justice not for profit serv...
Episode 32 - Noeline Blackwell - Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC)
May 17, 2020 08:46 - 50 minutes - 92.7 MBTrigger Warning' if you or someone you know has been affected by sexual abuse please remember the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre 24-hour Helpline is open 1800 77 8888 In today’s podcast (episode 32) we will be talking to Noeline Blackwell, CEO of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC). In 2012 Noleen was reported as being one of Irelands Ten Most Influential Women for her relentless defence of those with no legal resources. Noeline took up her position as CEO of the DRCC in 2016 and feels strongl...
Episode 31 - Sophia Murphy - Survivor of Childhood Sexual Abuse
May 10, 2020 08:29 - 47 minutes - 87.4 MBTrigger Warning' if you or someone you know has been affected by sexual abuse please remember the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre 24-hour Helpline is open 1800 77 8888 In today’s podcast (episode 31) we will be talking to Sophia Murphy, a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. In July 2018 Sophia’s father, John Murphy, a 61-year-old former member of the Irish Defence Forces received a sentence of 18 years in prison. Her father plead guilty to the sexual assault and rape of his eldest daughter Soph...
Episode 30 - Dr Marie Keenan Associate Professor
May 03, 2020 10:50 - 51 minutes - 94.5 MBDr Marie Keenan – Associate Professor Lecturer at the School of Social Policy, Social Work & Social Justice, University of College Dublin Trigger Warning' if you or someone you know has been affected by sexual abuse please remember the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre 24-hour Helpline is open 1800 77 8888 In today’s podcast (episode 30) we will be talking to Dr, Marie Keenan, Associate Professor, Lecturer at the School of Social Policy, Social Work & Social Justice, University of College Dublin...
Poetry - Confusion by June Kavanagh
April 28, 2020 10:21 - 1 minute - 3.36 MBI have no power I have no say You can do what you want I can’t run away What are you’re doing? I don’t understand. I thought we were playing Was this part of a plan? Do all daddies do this? Am I really that bad? Can’t you see I don’t want this? Don’t you care that I’m sad? You mustn’t know what you are doing You’re making a mistake. This couldn’t be on purpose You wouldn’t make me shake. Everything is different now Forever and a day. No matter what I tell myself This won’t go away. I ha...
Poetry - Why Go Back? by June Kavanagh
April 28, 2020 09:28 - 1 minute - 2.12 MBLooking back now I can hardly believe It wasn’t just others But me I deceived I had to go back to find me and save me and rescue me from all the pain that he gave me Although it was hard and it took a long time The journey was worth it to find what was mine Sometimes I can’t believe it when I see how far I’ve come No more am I a victim No longer on the run I’ve found some inner peace now I’ve healed a lot of pain I’m still a work in progress but no longer need to blame I never though...
Poetry - Shame by June Kavanagh
April 28, 2020 09:27 - 1 minute - 3.32 MBShame took away my Voice Shame took away my Choice Shame dictated the life I Lived Shame would not let me Forgive Shame prevented me from standing strong and saying what was done was wrong The shame was never really mine it belonged to the one who committed the crime Shame doesn’t have a place in my life any longer and without it I know, I am so much stronger Now I can see all the harm shame was doing without it, I am loving the life I am pursuing Your life is just waiting for you to l...
Poetry - My Body Image by June Kavanagh
April 28, 2020 08:22 - 1 minute - 3.48 MBI've hated my body for the longest time because it is what he used Why did my dad take what was mine? Leaving me sore and confused I thought my body had let me down I blamed it for my pain The way I looked filled me with disgust I couldn’t bear the shame! Sex and sexuality brought out in me such fear even if I liked someone I couldn’t let them near Weight was always an issue I think it’s’ because he was fat I later used food to comfort myself and ended up look...
Poetry - Secondary Victims by June Kavanagh
April 27, 2020 20:25 - 2 minutes - 3.81 MBWhen an abuser is named what we don’t realise is all the other people who now get victimised. Its only human nature Whenever we’re in pain To look outside ourselves For someone else to blame Although without intention this causes untold pain Countless innocent families are left with guilt and shame Guilt by association is how some families feel mothers in particular get the raw end of the deal It’s assumed they let it happen it’s believed they must have known no benefit of doubt or comp...
Guided Meditation - Message in a Bottle
April 27, 2020 20:19 - 11 minutes - 21.7 MBIn this meditation you will receive an answer from your guides to a question that has been on your mind for some time. Meditation can be described as a way of focusing your mind on a thought, mantra, or activity and is often used to achieve a mentally clear and emotionally clam states. For us meditation is a way to relax and can be a powerful tool to connect you with your inner peace. We know that not everyone likes to meditate, and some find it extremely difficult to sit and quite the ...
Guided Meditation - Three Gold Rings
April 27, 2020 20:14 - 11 minutes - 20.5 MBIn this meditation you will go on a journey to meet your guardian angel who helps you to release all the stress and tension that you hold in your mind and body. Meditation can be described as a way of focusing your mind on a thought, mantra, or activity and is often used to achieve a mentally clear and emotionally clam states. For us meditation is a way to relax and can be a powerful tool to connect you with your inner peace. We know that not everyone likes to meditate, and some find it ex...
Guided Meditation - The Wise Man
April 27, 2020 20:07 - 19 minutes - 36 MBIn this meditation you will go on a journey to meet a wise man that imparts some of his life lessons. Meditation can be described as a way of focusing your mind on a thought, mantra, or activity and is often used to achieve a mentally clear and emotionally clam states. For us meditation is a way to relax and can be a powerful tool to connect you with your inner peace. We know that not everyone likes to meditate, and some find it extremely difficult to sit and quite the mind. If you are new...
Episode 29 - Leona O'Callaghan - Founder of Haven Hub
April 26, 2020 08:06 - 41 minutes - 76.6 MBTrigger Warning' if you or someone you know has been affected by sexual abuse please remember the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre 24-hour Helpline is open 1800 77 8888 In today’s podcast (episode 29) we will be talking to Leona O Callaghan, founder of Haven Hub, a voluntary organisation opened in November 2019 and based in Limerick dealing with late night suicide prevention. We speak to Leona who is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse about her decision to wave her anonymity in-order to name he...
Episode 28 - Peter McGuire, Freelance Journalist - 'The Importance of Responsible Journalism'
April 19, 2020 06:21 - 37 minutes - 68 MBTrigger Warning' if you or someone you know has been affected by sexual abuse please remember the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre 24-hour Helpline is open 1800 77 8888 In today’s podcast (episode 28 – ‘The Importance of Responsible Journalism’), we speak with Peter McGuire a freelance journalist who regularly contributes to The Irish Times and to Noteworthy.ie - the investigative unit of TheJournal.ie about his experience of reporting on child sexual abuse and domestic violence. Formerly Peter...
Episode 27 - Were there is a Will - They Can Find A Way!
April 12, 2020 09:04 - 21 minutes - 39.6 MB'Trigger Warning' if you or someone you know has been affected by sexual abuse please remember the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre 24-hour Helpline is open 1800 77 8888 In today's podcast (episode 27 - Were there's a will -they can find a way) we continue delving into the intense fear gripping the world today and how it relates to and impacts victims of childhood sexual abuse and trauma. We talk about the underlying global pandemic of child sexual abuse and how its victims have been failed time a...
Audio of Blog - Living in Fear! Now Can You See Me?
April 10, 2020 14:53 - 9 minutes - 17.5 MBWe have spent years trying to help people understand the fear experienced by children who suffer child abuse or childhood trauma and how that fear impacts their lives. We do this not just to provide a deeper understanding of the crime itself, but also to help those in a position of power comprehend that fighting for lifelong supports to be put in place for victims, is warranted. At present no government in any country has stood up to the task but we will not give up until that position chang...
Episode 26 - Fear is a Choice!
April 05, 2020 07:35 - 22 minutes - 40.4 MB'Trigger Warning' if you or someone you know has been affected by sexual abuse you can call the Sexual Violence Centre Cork on (01800) 496 496. In today’s podcast we will be discussing how we are coping with the fear and anxiety that is currently taken hold of our world as a result of the Corona Virus pandemic. We discuss how our response to this situation is amplified because of the fear and trauma we experienced being sexually abused as children. We talk about how our childhood trauma...
Episode 25 - Mary Crilly, Founder and Director of Sexual Violence Centre Cork
March 29, 2020 09:00 - 49 minutes - 89.7 MB'Trigger Warning' if you or someone you know has been affected by sexual abuse you can call the Sexual Violence Centre Cork on (01800) 496 496. In today’s podcast we will be talking to Mary Crilly, Founder and Director of the Sexual Violence Centre Cork (SVCC). SVCC is a non-profit community organisation that opened its doors for the first time in 1982. The Centre has been providing services to victims of sexual violence in Cork for over 38 years. Mary is a formidable woman and her stren...
Audio of Blog - The Silver Lining in the Corona Virus
March 23, 2020 16:06 - 7 minutes - 14.5 MBIt’s frightening and surreal to think that we, or those we love could be harmed or even die from this virus and being confined and isolated from those we love only heightens the sense of panic we feel and makes it all the harder to manage our emotions. The constant reports, news bulletins and all the possible conspiracy theories that are floating around out there is not helpful. It only succeeds in dragging me into the panic that can shut me down emotionally if I let it. SENSE OF COMMUNI...
Episode 24 - Rachel Moran, Author, Activist and Campaigner
March 22, 2020 09:50 - 55 minutes - 101 MB'Trigger Warning' if you or someone you know has been affected by sexual abuse please remember the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre 24 hour Helpline is open 1800 77 8888 In today’s podcast (Episode 24) we will be talking with Rachel Moran, Author, Activist and Campaigner. Rachel grew up on the north side of Dublin. She had a difficult childhood. Both of her parents suffered mental health issues and her father committed suicide when she had just turned 14. She ended up in residential care, and dur...
Audio of Blog - Accountability! - Harvey Weinstein
March 16, 2020 15:57 - 7 minutes - 14.4 MBI was blown away when I heard the announcement of Harvey Weinstein’s sentence. It felt like a personal win to me and I found myself checking the news, to be sure I wasn’t mistaken and that he had indeed, received a 23-year prison sentence. Even now I have to say WOW. The women involved in this case may never know how many lives they have saved as their bravery has made an enormous impact across the globe. This is a victory for all victims of abuse everywhere. To see someone, previously r...
Episode 23 - Interview with Eve Farrelly - CARI
March 15, 2020 09:31 - 43 minutes - 79.1 MB'Trigger Warning' if you or someone you know has been affected by sexual abuse please remember the CARI Helpline (Lo Call 1890 924 567) In today’s podcast (Episode 23 - Interview with Eve Farrelly, Executive Director of CARI, (Children at Risk in Ireland). Eve holds a master’s in management, business, marketing and related support services, she also has a master’s in criminology, a BA in Psychology and advanced Diploma in Date Protection Law. Eve brings us up to speed on the services offe...
Audio of Blog - You Are Your Own Mother
March 13, 2020 17:50 - 5 minutes - 10 MBMother’s Day is a national celebration enjoyed by many, but for others the day acts as a reminder of the lack of nurturing they received as a child. This often raises unjust feelings of shame and unworthiness in victims. They can be bombarded with memories of the lack of motherly love and nurturing in their childhood. This can lead to sadness and isolation and in many cases negative self-talk. Our relationship with our own mother was at times very difficult. She was not available to us emo...
Audio of Blog - The Price Paid for Surviving Childhood Sexual Abuse
March 10, 2020 13:55 - 6 minutes - 12.7 MBBesides the sexual abuse that went on in my childhood home, the physical, emotional and mental abuse was also an everyday occurrence. Thinking about how I survived and the coping mechanisms I used, has been triggered by the questions arising while creating our podcasts. Although somewhere inside, it is clear to me how I survived, I still struggle to understand or explain it. Was I Blind to the Truth? How could I be so blind to all that was happening around me? How can I say with a...
Episode 22 - Maeve Lewis - CEO One in Four
March 08, 2020 09:41 - 40 minutes - 74.5 MB'Trigger Warning' if you or someone you know has been affected by sexual abuse please remember the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre 24-Hour Helpline 1800 77 888 In this week’s podcast, we talk to Maeve Lewis, the CEO of One in Four. One in four currently provides supports to adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. They have an advocacy team to support those lucky enough to make it to court and this service is free. Their help extends to families and partners, which is recognised as invaluable f...
Audio of Blog - Multiple Abusers - It Must Have Been My Fault!
March 06, 2020 16:23 - 7 minutes - 13.4 MBI've thought of writing about this for a long time and to be honest, I’m not sure why I haven’t. The abuse at the hands of my father, in many ways, made my other abusers fade into the background. I was sexually abused by a brother, John, whom I haven’t seen in over thirty years and another close family relative. The first clear memory of John abusing me was when I was around 4 years old, he gave me this beautiful butterfly badge that you sew on to your clothes and told me I could keep it if...
Audio of Blog - Is 2018 Really The Year of The Woman
March 06, 2020 16:14 - 6 minutes - 11.6 MBThere is hardly a day goes by without a new or historic case of child sexual abuse hitting the headlines along with considerable coverage of the #timesup and #metoo campaigns, you would probably think that the answer to that question above is yes. The Right to Speak Up This year marks the centenary of those brave women who fought and finally won the right for women to vote. Oprah Winfrey’s powerful acceptance speech for the Cecil B. Demille award at the Golden Globes, 2018 was inspirationa...
Audio of Blog - germaine, Germaine, Germaine
March 06, 2020 16:05 - 5 minutes - 9.18 MBLike most women and men who have experienced rape, we read Germain Greer’s call for punishment for rape to be reduced with anger and disbelief. Sadly, this is not the first time reduced sentences in rape cases has been an issue, as every day within out court rooms, judges, juries and those that are either defending the accused or prosecuting them fail to understand the complexities of the damage that rape does to its victims. What makes it even more upsetting is the fact that Germaine hers...
Audio of Blog - Child Sexual Abuse and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
March 05, 2020 18:37 - 7 minutes - 13.6 MBTalking and writing about our childhood abuse and how it impacted us, were key to us gaining a greater understanding of thoughts and behaviours that we had as adults, and that we hated. We didn’t know that these thoughts and behaviours were actually disorders that were researched and understood by many health professionals. These disorders or conditions developed as a direct result of the abuse we had each endured as children and some still impact us today. Mental and physical health issue...
Audio of Blog- How Do We Fix Our Broken People
March 05, 2020 18:32 - 6 minutes - 11.6 MBSexual Abuse is accepted across the world as being the most under-reported crime and here in Ireland we are no different. With our current population and our seriously outdated statistics, we can estimate that 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men have experienced some form of sexual abuse in their past. That means there are at least 900 thousand citizens currently living with the impacts of abuse. Now take into account that the abusers are out there too. Based on these figures we also must realise t...
Audio of Blog - A Deeper Understanding of Childhood Sexual Abuse is Needed
March 05, 2020 18:19 - 9 minutes - 16.7 MBYou cannot change something if you are unaware of its existence. Awareness of a negative situation, attitude or belief is the first step towards making positive changes. Our intention is and always has been to help improve the lives of victims of sexual abuse. To achieve this, we need to help people understand this crime. Is there a difference between the way men and women view sex and sexual abuse? Is this difference a contributing factor preventing the necessary supports and laws being...
Episode 21 - Shaneda Daly - Founder of Side by Side
March 01, 2020 09:44 - 32 minutes - 59.3 MB'Trigger Warning' if you or someone you know has been affected by sexual abuse please remember the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre 24-Hour Helpline 1800 77 888 We kick off this series of podcasts where we undertake a number of interviews with people and organisations that provide supports to victims of sexual violence, childhood sexual abuse or childhood trauma, with Shaneda Daly, Founder of Survivors Side by Side- facebook support page. Shaneda, like ourselves was a victim of childhood sexual...
Audio of Blog - Paedophiles - Monsters or Humans
February 25, 2020 16:18 - 11 minutes - 20.7 MBPaedophilia is a psychiatric disorder in which an adult or older adolescent experience a primary or exclusive sexual attraction to prepubescent children. It is also important that we understand that there are a certain percentage of paedophiles in the world today that have never acted on their sexual urges toward children and never intend to. Evoking Reactions. What do you think of when you hear the word “paedophile”? Do you think of a person? I don’t. I don’t even think of a human bei...
Audio of Blog - No Justice, No Winners
February 25, 2020 16:01 - 5 minutes - 9.75 MBI felt compelled to write about the Belfast rape case as I am still reeling from the impact of the outcome. I would imagine I’m not alone when I describe a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach every time, I think about it. With that said, I would have to admit that right from the beginning of the case when I began to read and hear on social media about the witness who entered the room on what she thought was a “threesome”, I foresaw the possibility of this outcome. Positive Impact I would...
Audio of Poem - Mother
February 25, 2020 15:55 - 2 minutes - 4.76 MBMother I usually don’t feel anything even though Its Mother’s Day my childhood really messed me up so it’s always been this way I used to wish you showed me love I wanted nothing more I used to long for tenderness from the woman I adored It’s a lack in my life that will always remain I’ve accepted that’s just how it is I never got to feel your love so I had to settle for his Never to know if I was loved by the woman I called my mother hurt more than abuse at the hands of the m...
Audio of Blog - Sexual Abuse Has No Gender Preference
February 25, 2020 15:48 - 7 minutes - 13.1 MBWe claim to be experts only when speaking about our own experience of abuse, but because we are women who were abused by a man, we tend to speak in general about female victims and male perpetrators. However, it is important to note, that we do not intend to exclude male victims of sexual abuse when we do this. GENDER INEQUALITY I have always felt strongly about gender inequality. Not just because it’s so unfair but because it’s a major contributing factor in all sexual abuse crimes. How...
Audio of Blog - The Aftermath of the Belfast Rape Case
February 25, 2020 15:39 - 7 minutes - 14.5 MBI believe timing played a major role in the public’s reaction to the Belfast rape trial. The world has changed a lot in the last six months and for many, the trial represented the straw that broke the camel’s back. Shift in Thinking Rape cases happen every day but because of how this trial was reported on, and the treatment of both the victim and the accused men, this case caused a palpable shift in thinking about casual sex and how consent is given and understood. For many women both nor...
Audio of Blog - Raising Awareness of Childhood Sexual Abuse Triggers
February 24, 2020 18:27 - 6 minutes - 12.5 MBWhen abuse of any description is covered on TV it is usually followed by an announcement that if you have been triggered by the content of the programme call this phone number. As a victim of childhood sexual abuse, I often heard the term triggers without making the connection to what was happening in my own life. Those of us who have suffered from flashbacks or strong emotional or physical responses in the most inopportune moments can really struggle to connect the dots. Because triggers...
Audio of Blog - Perfectionism - A Way of Dealing with Childhood Trauma
February 24, 2020 18:21 - 6 minutes - 12.3 MBIs it bad that I am a perfectionist? I can say that I would have been very happy to describe myself as a perfectionist as I saw it as a person who was good and wanted to do their best. I was often teased for the way I did certain things in the house. I ignored this believing that I was doing things right and they are just too lazy to bother. I never saw it as a negative way of being in the world. Dr.Brené Brown says perfectionism is one of the three main ways people protect themselves from...
Audio of Blog - Childhood Sexual Abuse and Anxiety / Panic Attacks
February 24, 2020 18:13 - 6 minutes - 12.8 MBAnxiety and panic attacks have been linked to childhood trauma, but it is by no means the only cause. Panic attacks can occur due to number of conditions including social anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, drug use, depression, and a number of medical problems. They can either be triggered or occur unexpectedly. However, children that experience trauma are more likely to have increased anxiety and depressive behaviours which they can endure well into adulthood, making those adults less...