THE POWER OF AWARENESS

September 7th 2013 marked a huge milestone in the progress of this organisation Daughter Arise. We had our 1st Awareness Afternoon Tea Event to highlight the subject of sexual abuse. This was history making in my borough Lambeth and beyond and has left a huge impact in peoples minds about how sexual abuse affects lives. For many years I thought I had nothing of value to offer this world but I know now that this is not true. This experience has affected many people but its uniqueness in how it affected my life has given me a platform to now encourage other people on their journey.

Doing this event was a huge task but the fruits of doing it have been immeasurable and no doubt have made a lasting impact on those who came. They were blessed to witness the courage and strength of women and men who endured the pain of abuse in different forms who have turned difficult and painful circumstances into positive changes. We had different speakers on topics such as; how abuse affects people in the aftermath, signs and symptoms of sexual abuse and a question and answer session enabling attendees to ask questions in an informal way. I know it was hard for many people who came but from the overall feedback given people actually liked this type of event! We had something called a ‘thought tube’ attendees were given a small postcard which had 2 questions; ‘one thing I am going to do’ and one thing I am going to think about’ this gave people the power to make a change as they now had the information and facts. It was really touching to see comments such as “I am now going to face my fears and make an appointment to see a counselor” and “I am going to think about the best way to have a talk about boundaries with my children/grandchildren”. This is the power raising awareness has; the power of sharing information in a way people can understand opens the dialogue to have honest communication in a way many people have not done before. It was a powerful event and people supported by baking cakes, donating, volunteering on the day and just by saying encouraging words.

This is the first of many awareness events I plan to do and I liken the affect to a ripple a stone makes when dropped into the water; those who came will spread the information, help those around them who are suffering and be more vigilant to situations around them.

Each one reach one, that is what will change and impact lives.

Facing the issue of sexual abuse is daunting for anyone let alone for us survivors who have been through it. It is not pleasant and causes discomfort in people but even taking into account these facts we cannot shy away from talking about it, we cannot hide from it; this subject has to be addressed in the open.

No more secrecy. Secrecy has been the weapon that has allowed the perpetrators to hide behind for so long. Everything Daughter Arise does will be done in the light.

Yvonne x