Stephen 'Shard'
Stephen 'Shard' Climbing Ben Nevis for SurvivorsUK
Fundraising for SurvivorsUK
Story
This November, I will be climbing Ben Nevis, the tallest mountain in the UK, to raise money for SurvivorsUK and raise awareness that sexual abuse can happen to any gender.
As a survivor myself, having been impacted by ignorance towards physical abuse and my experiences of aggressive responses I have had from abusive places when I have raised it and thereafter, I would wish that it would be easier for other survivors to feel alright to talk about what has happened to them. The best way to move things forward for survivors so that they can live their lives to the fullest, would be to support people affected by sexual violence and end the stigma.
SurvivorsUK helps men who've been raped, sexually abused or assaulted. Every year in the UK, around 12,000 men are raped and 76,000 sexually abused or assaulted. It isn't easy for men to talk about what's happened to them: only 4% will speak about it. Of the few who do, it takes an average of 26 years to do so.
SurvivorsUK wants to challenge stereotypes and taboos that prevent men speaking about what's happened to them. SurvivorsUK's counselling, helpline and support services are here to help men deal with the devastating impact of rape and sexual abuse.
£10 could support a survivor to recieve sexual health services in a safe and supportive environment at Clinic26
£12 could enable a survivor to have a 45-minute support session with one of our emotional support workers
£20 could support a survivor to attend a group session
£50 could support a survivor to attend one session of trauma-informed counselling
£125 could keep our free helpline open for a day
Please help me raise £1000 to challenge the silencing of survivors and change attitudes to support every gender affected by sexual abuse. Please donate to this cause to help other survivors find their voice. Thank you.
A massive special thank you to Nikoli who surprised me with the awesome illustration for the page! A full round of credit for making this to help with the fundraiser, when I had just recently left my home after living with domestic abuse, without knowing the storm I had just left. It was very kind and an exemplar of how a generous and helping hand can make those first few days away from abusers much easier.
While climbing Ben Nevis, I hope to raise awareness and hopes for other survivors, to show that with kindness we can all live life to the fullest and end the stigma associated with sexual abuse survivors, so that no more lives are affected.