I am swimming 35km in 35days.

I have chosen this because on average in the UK, a woman is assaulted 35 times before the police are called.

I am raising money for Rape Crisis England & Wales. I first came into contact with them in 1983. i could only call them when I was drunk, as I began to understand what had happened to me as a child and teen - a childhood saturated in serious sexual violence.

They seemed to be able to understand me when I could not. They listened even though I couldn't bear my own words and memories. They helped keep me alive.

It is taking me a lifetime to unravel and integrate my past. I am not alone. Thousands of people have similar experiences. 1 in 4 adult women have been raped, 1 in 18 men and 1 in 6 children. These crimes against us can have severe and life lasting effects, made worse by the lack of resources.

There is nowhere for people to go. We live in a silencing culture where we cannot speak freely about our experiences if we choose, which further isolates us.

The NHS is inadequately funded and not equipped to deal with mental health, which leaves many struggling alone with no support whatsoever. Private therapy is expensive and thus less able to be available to women.

Even if a woman chooses to report rape to the police, there is an extremely small chance of a conviction. Bet July 2022 and June 2023 only 2 in 100men were charged (charged, not convicted).

Resources are dwindling and will continue to do so. Rape is not a priority. When I made that phone call in 1983, there were 68 rape crisis centres. today there are 38.

Please donate to Rape Crisis England & Wales to help keep omen and children safe from sexual violence.