Join the fight with James, Paige and Dom who are fighting for the protection of children against sexual abuse.
In 2011 I came forward after being a victim of child sexual abuse. I was groomed over a period of 7 years and sexually assaulted by a family member. I thought once I had told the police all my problems would “disappear”, how wrong was I?
I gave a statement to the Police, and was required to do a video recorded interview; I knew nothing about the process, or what would happen. I was taken to a room with a camera and asked to spill 7 years’ worth of abuse to a complete stranger. From here onwards my life went into complete turmoil.
Five months later I was introduced to Imara. I met with a trauma care worker who changed my life who was there whenever I needed to talk.
Imara kept me informed with every step of the police investigation and assured me I was being listened to. In May 2011, my case finally reached court, 8 months after my disclosure. I was fortunate enough to have support from Imara throughout the court process.
When I compare how those first five months were for me without Imara compared to the following five months is indescribable.
Dom also came to Imara after a disclosure sexual abuse over several years suffering with severe emotional trauma in the form of absences. Absences are similar to that of car accident victims and have periods of "blanking out" which led to Dom being hospitalised but with the help of Imara Dom learnt various coping methods through the therapeutic team of Imara. Doms perpetrator was sentenced to 8 years imprisonment.
The NSPCC have reported that in 2014 over 23'000 sexual offences against children were recorded in the UK alone.
Can you believe an organisation like this one, struggles for funding?? In the UK there is 64.1 million people, if everyone DONATED £1, imagine the difference you could make!
IMARA ARE THE ONLY ORGANISATION PROVIDING THIS SERVICE IN NOTTINGHAM