Staying Silent: Unravelling the What, Why and How of Disclosure in Adulthood

This resource includes Staying Silent, a powerful short film by Jeremy Indika, speaker, founder of Something to Say, and expert by experience, and a discussion with Jeremy about the film's themes of disclosure of CSA in adulthood.

Description

Staying Silent is a powerful short film by Jeremy Indika, speaker, founder of Something to Say and expert by experience. The film asks its audience to rethink how they see disclosure of child sexual abuse, and to consider the barriers that may be in place. On average, it takes people 24 years to disclose. Many never disclose. Even when a victim/survivor does disclose as an adult, they can be met with a system that does not understand their experience.

This replay provides an opportunity to watch and reflect on the film. We consider how the criminal justice system, and the way victims and survivors experience it, can prevent or delay disclosure. If you work with victims/survivors in social care, mental health, the police, across the criminal justice system and beyond, this screening is for you.

As well as watching the short film, you will also hear from Jeremy Indika, who co-created it to raise awareness around these topics. Staying Silent will make you think about the systems, beliefs and misconceptions in place that keep victims and survivors of child sexual abuse silent, and asks you to consider your role in changing that reality.

These resources will help you:

• Reflect on the complex and nuanced reasons behind why it may take someone 20+ years to disclose, or why they may never disclose
• Consider what the key systemic issues, beliefs and misconceptions might be, that contribute to disclosure taking so long
• Explore what effective support to disclosure in adulthood might look like
• Deepen your understanding of how our systems treat victims of non-recent child sexual abuse
• Understand what it means for victims and survivors to remain silent for so long, what is the cost?
• Engage with what it means to be truly victim and survivor focussed
• Understand what might prevent a child from disclosing at the time of abuse

Further reading