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....”
The Visible Newsletter
The Visible newsletter is compiled by members of the Leadership Reference Group.
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
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. This is the first part of a two-part episode on CSA and Faith organisations.
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
UpFront Survivors Project
UpFront Survivors is about our community leading cultural change through creating visible survivor-led community spaces and experiences. We are doing this in partnership with frontline services and researchers to work towards effective, holistic, sustainable support.
The Visible Project Website
Visible is about giving organisations and practitioners everything they need for doing what they realistically can to help survivors of child sexual abuse. Visible’s Strategic Steering Group (SSG) oversees – and provides directional guidance to – our pioneering partnership.
Our Member, Debbie Riley
Our member, Debbie, offers public speaking about her experience of child sexual abuse, eating disorder, and when exercise becomes harmful. Get in touch if you want a passionate speaker to shed light on any of these topics. She is dedicated to sharing her personal experience and raising awareness.