Jon Needham

Cop to spend 24hrs in police custody for the Survivors Trust

Fundraising for The Survivors Trust
£3,454
raised of £2,100 target
by 127 supporters
The Survivors Trust

Verified by JustGiving

RCN 1169999
We support specialist organisations to empower and support survivors.

Story

I am exceptionally proud to say I serve as a Police Constable in Central London, doing my part to serve my community and keep London safe.

After very careful consideration and planning I have decided to help raise money for ‘The Survivors Trust’.  I have seen first-hand the great work they are doing to help survivors of child sexual exploitation, rape and abuse from all different cultures and backgrounds across the UK and help and support 120 other fantastic volunteer organisations to do the same.

To raise awareness and show support for survivors I will be spending 24 hours locked up in a police cell at a Central London police station on the 27th July 2021 starting at 7pm.

 COVID19 precautions will be followed.   

I will be treated exactly as a prisoner would. The same food, clothing and bedding as anyone else would get in police custody. I will be taking myself way out of my comfort zone to show solidarity with survivors, to show that we care about you, that we empathise with you and fully support you in your journey! That you have a voice! That you are very much valued.  

Besides…. who would not pay to see a cop locked up for a good cause?

A little about me;

 I grew up in an extremely disadvantaged background.  I am a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, rape, torture, knife crime, gun crime and the care system all before the age of 10. The abuse I was subjected to happened to me whilst in local authority care at the age of 7. The picture at the top is me aged around 6 just before my world got turned upside-down. 

As a result, I have suffered Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Imposter Syndrome and depression. Thankfully I have been fortunate enough to learn how to live with and overcome the trauma I suffered and not let it define me as the person I am today.

I joined the police service in 2009 because I am passionate about using my lived experiences to make a real difference serving my community, helping victims and survivors as well as addressing the stigmas around mental health conditions and CSA. 

If you have been through trauma and difficulties, I sincerely want you to know that you are not alone, there is really good quality support through such charities as ‘The Survivors Trust’.

I want you to know that you have so much to offer even if you don’t realise it. I can assure you it is possible to move forward and overcome the trauma and trials that you are going through right now or have done so at some point during your life. 

It took me several decades to be able to talk about the abuse and trauma I was subjected to, eventually being able to seek help and move forward. (around 26 years)

It is not easy to talk about abuse and trauma which is exactly the reason why I took the unusual step as serving police officer to talk publicly about my experiences and turn what I experienced into a positive to help others. I know the 7-year-old little me who experienced the abuse and trauma would be so proud of the me of today. 

I now do all I can to help others in my working life and my own time either through policing, mentoring or telling my story to help the police service, legal bodies and others better understand trauma, CSA and the journey victims/survivors go through either in the initial stages, reporting stages, court process and the challenges of life moving forward. 

 Naturally we all deal with trauma and recover in different ways. 

I am very proud to support survivors and victims and thank ‘The Survivors Trust’ and the organisations that work with ‘The Survivors Trust’ for the great work they are doing on our behalf. 

Any contribution you can give will go a long way to help survivors and would be gratefully received. 

Thank you for your kind support.

Please feel free to share this page.

For more information about ‘The Survivors Trust’ please go to www.thesurvivorstrust.org

*For information, advice or emotional support, call The Survivors Trust free, confidential* helpline: 08088 010 818. Our helpline is free and confidential, we offer information, advice, and support to ALL survivors, family members/friends of survivors and professionals working with survivors.

If you are in immediate danger, please call 999. 

About the charity

The Survivors Trust

Verified by JustGiving

RCN 1169999
The Survivors Trust is the largest membership organisation for specialist rape and sexual abuse services in the UK. We aim to support and empower survivors of rape, sexual violence and/or childhood sexual abuse.

Donation summary

Total raised
£3,453.40
+ £175.00 Gift Aid
Online donations
£3,453.40
Offline donations
£0.00

* Charities pay a small fee for our service. Find out how much it is and what we do for it.