Every year, One in Four walks alongside thousands of victim survivors as they move toward healing. This is the difference we make.
of clients reported reduced psychological distress after therapy
of clients reported improved daily functioning
of training participants rated the training as excellent or very good
I believe we all have a responsibility to destigmatize conversations around sexual abuse, so here’s my bit. The below contains personal and challenging subjects, so please read when it’s right for you to do so.
When I was 15, I found the strength to disclose that my father had been raping and sexually abusing me for the entirety of my childhood. Scared, out of school, addicted to a dangerous lifestyle, the odds were against me. My mother found One in Four. I wasn’t ready, but they supported my family until I was.
When I began the criminal process 4 years later, the Garda wanted me to travel around the country, giving statements in every area where I was abused. Retraumatized by the prospect of the process and unsure if I would have the fortitude to move forward with it, One in Four mitigated this potential trauma for me. They advocated on my behalf, and my case was centralized to one unit with an incredible team of detectives. It was the difference in me moving forward with my complaint.
When I sought my files from TUSLA, they were there to hold me through every bit of the process. Their team of advocates and counselors held me as I held a life’s trauma in my hands, a file so heavy it must have weighed 40 tonnes, but with their support, I held it.
One in Four provided me with hope; their advocacy officer was fierce in her commitment to showing me another path. She would hold forms containing paths to education, letters for homeless charities, doctors, and landlords. She gave me impassioned speeches about all the things I could do with my life. She and the team would have done anything feasibly possible to pick me back up off the floor, and I want others to have access to this support.
Every single survivor of abuse deserves it. One in Four’s advocacy service is free to those who use it, and I feel their work needs supporting.
The therapy service supported me throughout this process. Years later, when I hit a turbulent patch, I leaned back into one in four. Even while living on the other side of the country, they still found a way to support me. They connected me to the most impactful therapist I have ever had. We did huge work together. I smile when I think of that time and all that processing. Again, every single survivor of abuse deserves access to the services of One in Four, Ireland.
