Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse's Truth Project comes to Rochdale

Drusilla Sharpling CBE, Inquiry Panel member and Head of the Truth Project,

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The Truth Project, part of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) is coming to Rochdale on 26-28 July to hear directly from victims and survivors of child sexual abuse.

The project is coming to Rochdale after a successful negotiation from a survivor of sexual abuse, who has bravely waived his anonymity to talk to Rochdale Online about the project.

Craig Hill was in care when he was abused between the ages of five and twelve. Now part of the Rochdale Survivors’ Association, a support group for all survivors of sexual abuse, he originally contacted the IICSA around two years ago to share his story.

He said: “Initially the IICSA wanted people to go to Liverpool, which wasn’t very fair or acceptable to people here. I started campaigning and the IICSA changed their minds.

“The town has had its problems and does have a stigma attached for obvious reasons and that’s unfair too. Many people have a voice for this inquiry to go forward. A lot of victims don’t get the help they need."

If you were failed by an institution, The Truth Project gives individuals a unique opportunity to share your experiences of child sexual abuse in confidence with the Inquiry.

Designed in consultation with victims and survivors to provide a supportive environment in which to speak out, you are in control, and will be able to decide how much detail to go into and how long you would like the session to last for. You will be supported throughout the process and may bring a companion.

You are also invited to suggest what can be done to stop children being sexually abused in the future.

In October, the Inquiry will publish a report which will feature the experiences of victims and survivors from the Truth Project. Your experiences, published anonymously, will help shape the Inquiry's recommendations to Parliament to help keep children safe in the future.

Drusilla Sharpling CBE, Inquiry Panel member and Head of the Truth Project said: “The Truth Project is here in Rochdale to empower victims and survivors to speak out and help us as a society stop the same patterns of abuse happening over and over again.

“If you are a victim and survivor and you are thinking about coming forward, my promise to you is that we will listen to you. We will respect you. What you tell us can make a real difference.”

VSCP member, Daniel Wolstencroft said: “Northern lads like me can find it hard to talk about the sexual abuse they experienced as a child. I spent many years fighting to be believed. I’m a dad now and I would never want my son to go through the hell that I did.

“The Truth Project gives victims and survivors like myself the chance to speak to someone who has clout and can make a real, positive difference for the future.”

Over 800 victims and survivors of child sexual abuse have now come forward to the Truth Project across England and Wales.

Book your place at the pop-up office via:

contact@iicsa.org.uk

0800 917 1000