A personal reflection on post-traumatic growth after sexual violence, and the complicated reality that healing does not always mean leaving pain behind. This piece explores how change, strength, and a renewed sense of self can coexist with the lasting impact of trauma.

One year of Make Yourself Heard: reflecting on how a small idea has grown into a community rooted in lived experience, shared voices and the belief that being heard can help create change.

Women in Whitehall was born from being told “no” - too junior, too niche, too difficult to publish. Dalia and Daniella decided to build the platform they wished had existed for them: one where young women can share their ideas, build confidence, gain recognition and be taken seriously in political and academic spaces.

The CPS has apologised after prosecutors failed to tell the court that Simon Levy was being investigated for rape and murder when bail was considered. Jade Blue reflects on the limits of institutional apologies and asks what meaningful accountability must now involve.

Victims and families have been forced to live through weeks of uncertainty as early release plans have been announced, paused, reviewed and changed. This journal reflects on the anger behind that uncertainty - and why victims cannot keep being treated as an afterthought in decisions that directly affect their safety and lives.

Jade Belgrove shares her experience of childhood grooming, rape and seeking justice years later. She reflects on the lasting impact of the abuse, the uncertainty created by changes to sentencing, and why she is now campaigning alongside other survivors to ensure their voices help shape a fairer future.

A reflection on the fear that can come when anxiety returns after years away, and why seeking therapy or stepping back from something that has become overwhelming is not failure. Inspired by Natalie Fleet’s openness, it explores how trauma, health and new pressures can remain intertwined - and why listening to yourself sooner can be a sign of progress.

An anonymous survivor shares the devastating impact that uncertainty around the government's early release plans is having on their daily life. From sleepless nights and recurring nightmares to fears for their safety, this powerful reflection highlights the lasting trauma survivors can face long after a conviction.

Ten years of being tracked, controlled, and isolated.
This survivor account shows how stalking can begin early, escalate behind closed doors, and shape daily life in ways that are hard to see from the outside - and even harder to escape.

The joy I should be feeling, loving my life and cherishing my family, all turns to horror scenarios flashing through my nightmares when a letter from the Witness Care team lands on my hall floor…repeatedly in the three years since my abuser has been in prison, this has been the case.

I didn’t set out to be a victim of domestic abuse; I didn’t intend to be a prisoner and not a partner for ten terror-filled years, but the shackles of control and coercion sneak slowly around your life until, before you know it, you're contemplating death as your only means of escape.

In the labyrinthine UK justice system, some legal defences are so unusual that they seem almost surreal. “Sexsomnia” -  a rare sleep disorder that allegedly causes people to engage in sexual acts while unconscious - is one of them.

Once confined to obscure medical journals, sexsomnia has entered both criminal and family courts with alarming frequency.

Sex after rape is one of the most complex and deeply personal journeys a survivor can face. It’s not just about physical intimacy - it’s about reclaiming a sense of control, safety, and self-worth in a body that may feel like it has been taken away. For those in long-term relationships, this journey involves personal healing and shared understanding with a partner. For those dating after experiencing trauma, it adds a new layer of vulnerability and navigation.