Child Sexual Abuse (CSA)

The Visible Leadership Reference Group

Our goal is simple: we want to improve health and wellbeing outcomes for adult survivors of child sexual abuse.

More than anyone else, survivors understand the realities, impacts and complexities of childhood sexual abuse, and that means their insight is priceless.

The Visible Project is hosted by Women’s Counselling and Therapy Service (WCTS) and the Director, Richard Barber, is employed by WCTS. Leeds Involving People are commissioned by WCTS to facilitate The Visible Leadership Reference Group, which is a group of adults who have experienced child sexual abuse.

For more information about getting involved with The Visible Leadership Reference Group, contact LIP on 0113 237 4508 / visiblevoice@leedsinvolvement.org.uk / 07719 328 721

“Visible continues to go from strength to strength. ... Lots of progress.... but lots more work still to do....”

Richard Barber, Visible Director

The Visible Newsletter

The Visible newsletter is compiled by members of the Leadership Reference Group.

The Visible Leadership Reference is dismayed by the recent sentencing of former BBC presenter, Huw Edwards.

The Visible Podcast - Series One

Members of the Visible Reference Group discuss their experiences in this series of podcasts.

Episode 1 – First Disclosure

This podcast is by the Visible Leadership Reference Group, that consists of people that have experienced any kind of child sexual abuse, also known as CSA. Names may or may not be used throughout this series. In this episode you’ll hear members from the Visible Leadership Reference Group discussing experiences of disclosure. By first disclosure we mean when we first tell someone about our abuse.

Episode 2 – Comorbidities

This podcast is by the Visible Leadership Reference Group, that consists of people that have experienced any form of child sexual abuse, also known as CSA. Names may or may not be used throughout this series. In this episode members will be speaking about their experience of comorbidities. Comorbidity is when you have more than one illness, disease or condition at the same time.

Episode 3 – Accessing Healthcare

This podcast is by the Visible Leadership Reference Group, that consists of people that have experienced any form of child sexual abuse, otherwise known as CSA. Names may or may not be used throughout this series. In this episode we will be speaking with the Visible Leadership Reference Group about experiences of accessing healthcare and dealing with health professionals. This discussion includes examples of best practice.

Episode 4 – Mental Health

This podcast is by the Visible Leadership Reference Group, that consists of people that have experienced any form of child sexual abuse, otherwise known as CSA. Names may or may not be used throughout this series. In this episode we will be speaking with the Visible Leadership Reference Group about experiences of accessing mental health services and dealing with mental health professionals. This discussion highlights examples of best practice.

Episode 5 – Faith Organisations Part 1

Episode 6 – Faith Organisations Part 2

This podcast is by the Visible Leadership Reference Group, that consists of people that have experienced any form of child sexual abuse otherwise known as CSA. Names may or may not be used throughout this series. Following on from the last episode, they are speaking with members about some of the barriers to reporting CSA within a faith setting. We hope to return to this matter in future to look at how these barriers occur within non-Christian faiths.

Useful Resources

‘It’s an honour and a privilege to lead this work. Adults who’ve experienced childhood sexual abuse have been marginalised, ignored and left unsupported for far too long. It’s time for some meaningful change’

'In making sexual violence culturally ‘Visible’ we open up the possibilities for individual and systems growth beyond the injuries such crimes inflict on both survivors and our society.'

‘Visible is a powerful catalyst for change, inspiring city leaders to take action together for survivors whose needs have not been recognised since they were children. Visible works to ensure the conversation includes everyone.’

‘Being a member of Visible SG means I am up to date with changes and research in this fast-moving field. I can both share and hear about emerging best practice. Keeping touch with adult survivors means our work is always service user led.’

‘Tackling child sexual abuse should be everybody’s business and that is what Visible aims to do. Many of the adults that I have worked with have experienced sexual abuse as children.’

‘I wanted to say how great I think the work is and what fantastic progress is being made. I do read the papers and use them in discussions with partners and commissioners – just wanted you to know that.’