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Content warning. This episode contains details of sexual abuse.

In this episode, I speak to Mel, she was invited to a BBQ by a friend, and happily accepted the invitation as she had no reason not to.

She trusted this man, but he spiked her drink and what followed what an horrific r***.

Supported by a friend, who worked in drug and alcohol counselling , and recognised the signs as Mel had no idea. She had no recollection of the event at that time.

She bravely went through the court process and the monster was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Today, she tells me what happened to her, and her experience during the trial.

She has been an incredible support to me, while I have been going through the justice system, she is one of the kindest, most positive women you could ever wish to meet. She would help anyone going through the same.

If you need support after being spiked, please contact:

Spiking: advice and support - GOV.UK

Spiking - Victim Support

Home - Stamp Out Spiking

https://counterspike.com

If you need support please visit:

If you are in immediate danger, please call 999.

24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line 0808 500 2222

The Survivors Trust - Rape & Sexual Abuse Services UK 0808 801 0818

Rape and sexual assault - Victim Support 0808 168 9111

What support is available to help you - Rape and Serious Sexual Assault | The Crown Prosecution Service

If you would like to share your story, or are an organisation who supports victims and survivors, please email shareyourstory@therword.uk

Remember...You are not alone and you are stronger than you think

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In this episode I speak with Jenna, an expert in recovering from narcissistic abuse.

She had a very tough start in life, but at 14 made a decision she wasn't going to be beaten by that start, and that her children would never feel how she felt.

She is an incredible mum, a successful, empathetic teacher, and is now an expert in healing after trauma caused by abusive relationships.

Her calm, gentle nature will draw you in.

She has turned her own suffering into a powerful business helping you to move from surviving to thriving.

Listen to the end for some very important advice if you need to leave quickly.

If you need support, contact Jenna here: About

Follow her on Instagram

If you have a story to share to help others, either as a survivor or family member/friend/or partner who supported them, please email shareyourstory@therword.uk

If you need support please visit:

If you are in immediate danger, please call 999.

24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line 0808 500 2222

The Survivors Trust - Rape & Sexual Abuse Services UK 0808 801 0818

Rape and sexual assault - Victim Support 0808 168 9111

What support is available to help you - Rape and Serious Sexual Assault | The Crown Prosecution Service

If you would like to share your story, or are an organisation who supports victims and survivors, please email shareyourstory@therword.uk

Remember...You are not alone and you are stronger than you think

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This is a particularly harrowing episode, so please take care if you plan to listen. You might need tissues to hand.

Carol bravely tells us in detail what happened when she was attacked by 2 strangers when she was walking to meet friends in her local pub.

The horror didn't end there, she was also treated abhorrently by her then partner, and when one of her perpetrators was imprisoned, he was released after only 2 years.

You will be asking, where is the justice for Carol? I know I was.

This took her to the edge and she planned her own end.

Thank goodness, she found an incredible strength somewhere deep inside her, and has clawed her way back, and is now helping others who have had similar experiences.

I have full admiration for her, our Radiant Carol, she is a real example of life after The R Word.

To follow her on Instagram, or join her private community on FB FLARE_Survivor | Facebook

If you need support please visit:

If you are in immediate danger, please call 999.

24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line 0808 500 2222

The Survivors Trust - Rape & Sexual Abuse Services UK 0808 801 0818

Rape and sexual assault - Victim Support 0808 168 9111

What support is available to help you - Rape and Serious Sexual Assault | The Crown Prosecution Service

If you would like to share your story, or are an organisation who supports victims and survivors, please email shareyourstory@therword.uk

Remember...You are not alone and you are stronger than you think

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In this week's episode, Sarah talks about her experience of reporting to the police after an attack on her by a colleague. Sadly it wasn't a positive experience.

We also discuss opening the conversation wider and how we need to include everyone in it to hopefully facilitate change, education and more understanding of what happens to victims of this crime.

We are not pitting men against women, men need to be part the conversation too.

She is incredible strong, and has gone on to have a loving relationship, and has built her own business.

There is definitely life after trauma.

If you need support please visit:

If you are in immediate danger, please call 999.

24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line 0808 500 2222

The Survivors Trust - Rape & Sexual Abuse Services UK 0808 801 0818

Rape and sexual assault - Victim Support 0808 168 9111

What support is available to help you - Rape and Serious Sexual Assault | The Crown Prosecution Service

If you would like to share your story, or are an organisation who supports victims and survivors, please email shareyourstory@therword.uk

Remember...You are not alone and you are stronger than you think

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In this episode I speak with Adele from Lancashire Women, a charity who does what it says on the tin, supports ladies in Lancashire with many different services. And this year it is celebrating it's 40th Anniversary.

They offer a whole person approach to supporting women which is trauma informed and can be accessed directly by women themselves and / or through a referral:

They can help with :

• Mental health issues and general health and well-being
• Money Advice / Debt and wider welfare support issues
• Getting into employment with coaching, skills development and confidence building
• We also work in the prevention and rehabilitation of women connected to the criminal justice system with expertise in addressing multiple and complex unmet needs of women who have been moved from pillar to post across services and agencies.

https://lancashirewomen.org

0300 330 1354

If you would like to help the charity by volunteering or fundraising get in touch, they would love to hear from you.

If you need support please visit:

If you are in immediate danger, please call 999.

24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line 0808 500 2222

The Survivors Trust - Rape & Sexual Abuse Services UK 0808 801 0818

Rape and sexual assault - Victim Support 0808 168 9111

What support is available to help you - Rape and Serious Sexual Assault | The Crown Prosecution Service

If you would like to share your story, or are an organisation who supports victims and survivors, please email shareyourstory@therword.uk

Remember...You are not alone and you are stronger than you think

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In this episode Jacqueline shares more than one experience of the 'r' word, as a young woman, and in a marriage. She has carried this alone for over 30 years, and it has taken it's toll, but she is coming out of the other side now, and is a brilliant business woman.

She also talks about how her friends tried to help, but it made her situation worse, and learned to keep quiet.

The weight of carrying this alone was clear when I spoke to her, and I'm hoping she will finally get the help she needs to really heal.

If you need support please visit:

If you are in immediate danger, please call 999.

24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line 0808 500 2222

The Survivors Trust - Rape & Sexual Abuse Services UK 0808 801 0818

Rape and sexual assault - Victim Support 0808 168 9111

What support is available to help you - Rape and Serious Sexual Assault | The Crown Prosecution Service

If you would like to share your story, or are an organisation who supports victims and survivors, please email shareyourstory@therword.uk

Remember...You are not alone and you are stronger than you think

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Welcome to The R Word. In this episode, Meg talks about abuse on more than one occasion, which sadly, isn't uncommon.

She talks in depth about her experiences, assaulted on different occasions, by different men as a teenager and we discuss consent within marriage, a topic which seems to be a bit of a grey area for many of us.

We also hear how far she has come since, and created a life that she wants.

If you need support please visit:

If you are in immediate danger, please call 999.

24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line 0808 500 2222

The Survivors Trust - Rape & Sexual Abuse Services UK 0808 801 0818

Rape and sexual assault - Victim Support 0808 168 9111

What support is available to help you - Rape and Serious Sexual Assault | The Crown Prosecution Service

If you would like to share your story, or are an organisation who supports victims and survivors, please email shareyourstory@therword.uk

Remember...You are not alone and you are stronger than you think

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In this week's episode I speak with Louise, who describes her experience of nipping to a friend's house for a quick coffee, someone she trusted, and how it took a malevolent turn.

She describes what happened to her, the aftermath, and how supportive her husband was, when many years later, she shared the news with him.

She also describes her experience of reporting historical abuse to the police and gives her advice to anyone who may have been in a similar position.

Thank you Louise. xx

If you need support please visit:

If you are in immediate danger, please call 999.

24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line 0808 500 2222

The Survivors Trust - Rape & Sexual Abuse Services UK 0808 801 0818

Rape and sexual assault - Victim Support 0808 168 9111

What support is available to help you - Rape and Serious Sexual Assault | The Crown Prosecution Service

If you would like to share your story, or are an organisation who supports victims and survivors, please email shareyourstory@therword.uk

Remember...You are not alone and you are stronger than you think