In November, I was a speaker at the Imara Conference — but not an uncommon one in the life of a small charity CEO.
Trying to keep costs as low as possible, I travelled to and from Nottingham in a single day to attend — and speak at — the Imara CIO Bridging The Gap – Standing Together Against Abuse Conference.
The conference explored three critical areas through panels of experts and people with lived experience:
1. How can the criminal justice process be more supportive of the mental health of survivors of child sexual and domestic abuse — and what is already being done?
2. The language of trauma — how do the words we use shape our understanding, wellbeing, and recovery?
3. Holistic support following child sexual and/or domestic abuse — what does it look like, and why is it so essential?
Three workshops ran throughout the day:
- An experiential session using art-making and self-reflection
- Immersive tech in therapy
- A Postcard to My Younger Self
After lunch, we were treated to an electrifying performance by my friend, Patrick Sandford, performing his play GROOMED.
I first saw Patrick perform this at the official launch of Survivors Of aBuse (SoB) back in 2017.
What was lovely to see that he had made a few tweaks to the play to open up a conversation that we do not really address in the specialist support sector and that is to shine a light on the sexual offenders and how do we stop them offending in the 1st place?
The day concluded beautifully with a performance from a local choir, bringing a gentle and grounding end to what was an emotionally rich and thought-provoking event.
Imara was also celebrating their 15th anniversary, and they continue to do incredible work supporting children, young people, and families affected by sexual and domestic abuse across Nottingham.
But the strongest message I heard yesterday — and it echoes the national picture — is this:
“Cuts to funding are not only damaging the specialist services survivors rely on…they are threatening the very existence of the organisations providing them”.
Something must change.
Victims and survivors deserve better.
Independent Inquiry Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) Recommendation 13 called for improved access to specialist therapeutic support for victims and survivors of child sexual abuse.
The Inquiry highlighted the need for:
- consistent access across the country
timely, trauma-informed support - specialist therapeutic provision
- adequate and sustainable funding
- services not limited by arbitrary thresholds or postcode
This reflects the intention and principles of the recommendation — it is not a verbatim quote.
Despite this clear call for action, the Government has not implemented Recommendation 13.
In fact, we are seeing cuts, not investment — another failure to progress, and another failure to victims and survivors.
Throughout the conference, I spoke about IICSA and the importance to act on IICSA & implement IICSA recommendations.
This is an ongoing daily conversation for me. If you want to explore this more at your events, then please do get in touch.