After: Surviving sexual assault

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After: Surviving sexual assault

Catriona Morton talks to fellow survivors of sexual assault and abuse about what happened to them and how they cope now. After experiencing sexual abuse and assault herself, Catriona felt like she was abandoned by society, “stranded in an ocean,” she says, "with only a life raft and no rescue in sight.” So she created her own life raft with a blog called Life Continues After, where anyone affected by sexual trauma can share their stories and advice in the hope that others will find something useful. Or even just some comfort in knowing they’re not alone. This podcast continues Catriona’s mission. Each person’s story will be split into two parts - and two separate episodes in the podcast feed. In the first part – called ‘Then’ – survivors will tell Catriona as much or as a little as they want about what happened to them. If listeners feel this part of their story might be too triggering and distressing, they can skip to the second part – called ‘Now’ – where survivors will share the practical steps, resources and methods they follow. If you've been affected by sexual abuse or violence, you can find details of organisations in the UK who offer help and support at bbc.co.uk/actionline.

  1. 09/12/2019

    Kevin: Part 2 – Now

    Kevin Marshall tells Catriona about how the birth of his son convinced him to write a book, specifically for parents in the black community, about how to see the signs of abuse. Kevin talks about how his life turned around after writing a Facebook post which told his friends and loved ones he had been sexually abused as a child. He explains how travelling helps him meet new people and forge relationships he never could when he was younger. If you've been affected by child sexual abuse or violence, you can find details of organisations in the UK who offer help and support at bbc.co.uk/actionline. Presented by Catriona Morton, After is a 10-part series, featuring discussions between survivors of sexual abuse and assault about what happened to them and how they cope now. Produced by Danielle Stephens. The Executive Producers are Clare Chadburn and Nick Minter. It is a Wisebuddah production for BBC Sounds.

    15 min

  2. 09/12/2019

    Kevin: Part 1 – Then

    Catriona talks to fellow survivor Kevin Marshall about being abused as a child, and why the taboo of sexual abuse in the black community stopped him from talking about it. Kevin was abused by someone close to his family. The abuse started when he was only five years old, and lasted for four years. But as Kevin explains, his experience influenced all of his future relationships, as he tried to shut himself off to anyone who might get close. In part 1, Kevin talks quite explicitly about what he experienced, so if you want to skip this conversation, you can head back to the feed now and go straight to part 2, where Kevin talks about some of the ways he has coped since. If you've been affected by child sexual abuse or violence, you can find details of organisations in the UK who offer help and support at bbc.co.uk/actionline. Presented by Catriona Morton, After is a 10-part series, featuring discussions between survivors of sexual abuse and assault about what happened to them and how they cope now. Produced by Danielle Stephens. The Executive Producers are Clare Chadburn and Nick Minter. It is a Wisebuddah production for BBC Sounds.

    18 min

  3. 09/05/2019

    Nyala: Part 2 – Now

    Nyala tells Catriona about how she struggled to understand her new body after fully transitioning, and the impact that had on coming to terms with her trauma. She talks about what it was like to write a letter to her vagina for a book, titled Written on the Body: Letters from Trans and Non-Binary Survivors of Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence. She also talks about how staying inside, eating bad food and watching anime series helps her feel better on those tougher days. If you've been affected by sexual abuse or violence, you can find details of organisations in the UK who offer help and support at bbc.co.uk/actionline. Presented by Catriona Morton, After is a 10-part series, featuring discussions between survivors of sexual abuse and assault about what happened to them and how they cope now. Produced by Danielle Stephens. The Executive Producers are Clare Chadburn and Nick Minter. It is a Wisebuddah production for BBC Sounds.

    11 min

  4. 09/05/2019

    Nyala: Part 1 – Then

    Catriona talks to Nyala Moon about being raped by a man she was dating, who attempted to force her into sex work. Nyala is a trans woman and she started transitioning when she was a teenager. She talks about how the prejudice that trans people often face stopped her from reporting the incident to the authorities, or even telling friends what had happened. She also talks about a separate incident, when she was assaulted by an intimate partner, and why she used this narrative to produce a film about sexual abuse. This first part contains details that many listeners may find distressing, so if you’re not in a place to listen to something like that right now, you can go to part two where Catriona talks to Nyala about how she’s doing now. If you've been affected by sexual abuse or violence, you can find details of organisations in the UK who offer help and support at bbc.co.uk/actionline. Presented by Catriona Morton, After is a 10-part series, featuring discussions between survivors of sexual abuse and assault about what happened to them and how they cope now. Produced by Danielle Stephens. The Executive Producers are Clare Chadburn and Nick Minter. It is a Wisebuddah production for BBC Sounds.

    17 min

  5. 08/29/2019

    Winnie: Part 2 – Now

    Winnie M Li tells Catriona about how writing a novel helped her cope with her trauma. Called Dark Chapter, Winnie’s novel retells what happened when she was raped in 2008. It also takes the unique perspective of both the survivor and the perpetrator and explores how the assault affects the lives of both. Winnie talks about how she struggled to reclaim the things she loves doing, like travelling and hiking. But she found that playing the piano helped her when she was at her lowest. She has since founded the organisation Clear Lines, which uses the arts as a discussion to address sexual assault and consent. Find out more at www.clearlines.org.uk and www.winniemli.com If you've been affected by sexual abuse or violence, you can find details of organisations in the UK who offer help and support at bbc.co.uk/actionline. Presented by Catriona Morton, After is a 10-part series, featuring discussions between survivors of sexual abuse and assault about what happened to them and how they cope now. Produced by Danielle Stephens. The Executive Producers are Clare Chadburn and Nick Minter. It is a Wisebuddah production for BBC Sounds.

    12 min

  6. 08/29/2019

    Winnie: Part 1 – Then

    Catriona talks to fellow survivor Winnie M Li about what happened when she was raped by a stranger while on a hike in Northern Ireland, and then seeing her rapist convicted. As always, this first part contains details many listeners may find distressing, including the police investigation after she was attacked. If you feel like leaving this part for another time, then head back to the feed to listen to part 2, where we hear how Winnie’s doing now. You can also read more about Winnie’s experience and the aftermath in her novel Dark Chapter and at www.winniemli.com If you've been affected by sexual abuse or violence, you can find details of organisations in the UK who offer help and support at bbc.co.uk/actionline. Presented by Catriona Morton, After is a 10-part series, featuring discussions between survivors of sexual abuse and assault about what happened to them and how they cope now. Produced by Danielle Stephens. The Executive Producers are Clare Chadburn and Nick Minter. It is a Wisebuddah production for BBC Sounds.

    20 min

  7. 08/22/2019

    Sabah: Part 2 – Now

    Sabah Kaiser tells Catriona about reconnecting with her mother after years apart, and why she decided to become a voice for survivors in the BAME community. She also talks about the beautifully unique way she copes when she’s feeling overwhelmed or having a bad day. If you've been affected by child sexual abuse or violence, you can find details of organisations in the UK who offer help and support at bbc.co.uk/actionline. Anybody who wants to share their experience of child sexual abuse can do so at the Truth Project, which is part of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse. Just go to www.truthproject.org.uk Presented by Catriona Morton, After is a 10-part series, featuring discussions between survivors of sexual abuse and assault about what happened to them and how they cope now. Produced by Danielle Stephens. The Executive Producers are Nick Minter and Clare Chadburn. It is a Wisebuddah production for BBC Sounds.

    14 min

  8. 08/22/2019

    Sabah: Part 1 – Then

    Catriona talks to fellow survivor Sabah Kaiser about how it felt to be abused as a child and have no one believe her. Sabah grew up in a British-Muslim household. Her parents were originally from Pakistan, but her father died when she was only two years old. Sabah was abused from the age of seven, and despite trying to tell a number of adults around her, she says no one believed her – including her own mother. The abuse Sabah experienced started when she was very young and it’s a difficult conversation to hear. So if you want to skip straight to part 2, the story of how she has learned to live after her experience is really beautiful. You can go back to the feed now to hear that part. If you've been affected by child sexual abuse or violence, you can find details of organisations in the UK who offer help and support at bbc.co.uk/actionline. Anybody who wants to share their experience of child sexual abuse can do so at the Truth Project, which is part of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse. Just go to www.truthproject.org.uk Presented by Catriona Morton, After is a 10-part series, featuring discussions between survivors of sexual abuse and assault about what happened to them and how they cope now. Produced by Danielle Stephens. The Executive Producers are Nick Minter and Clare Chadburn. It is a Wisebuddah production for BBC Sounds.

    19 min
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4.7
out of 5
33 Ratings

About

Catriona Morton talks to fellow survivors of sexual assault and abuse about what happened to them and how they cope now. After experiencing sexual abuse and assault herself, Catriona felt like she was abandoned by society, “stranded in an ocean,” she says, "with only a life raft and no rescue in sight.” So she created her own life raft with a blog called Life Continues After, where anyone affected by sexual trauma can share their stories and advice in the hope that others will find something useful. Or even just some comfort in knowing they’re not alone. This podcast continues Catriona’s mission. Each person’s story will be split into two parts - and two separate episodes in the podcast feed. In the first part – called ‘Then’ – survivors will tell Catriona as much or as a little as they want about what happened to them. If listeners feel this part of their story might be too triggering and distressing, they can skip to the second part – called ‘Now’ – where survivors will share the practical steps, resources and methods they follow. If you've been affected by sexual abuse or violence, you can find details of organisations in the UK who offer help and support at bbc.co.uk/actionline.

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