A lovely letter to All Survivors....Wishing You much peace, support, and self-care this Christmas. 🌟😍🌟

Thank you to the survivor community for your support this year. Please take a moment to read our ‘Year in Review.’ We couldn’t do this work without this support. Thank you 🌸 theflyingchild.com/so/f2Pit776t?l…

Thank you Bear for this piece. I know it's difficult, but raising the facts about child sexual abuse within the family still appears taboo. @theflyingchild.bsky.social is worth following for insight into a whole swathe of violence against girls (in particular) .

“This is not a blog to debate whether or not survivors of #CSA within the family should cut off contact with their families. It’s a post to acknowledge that neither decision is easy. Both come with challenges - mainly a huge amount of sadness or grief” www.theflyingchild.com/post/dear-su... #csa

glad to be a speaker for this panel event about #boundaries - a topic I have LOTS of thoughts & feelings about! with @theflyingchild.bsky.social & Survivors' Voices www.theflyingchild.com/event-details/boundaries-or-barbed-wire-a-dangerous-tool #counselling #therapy #retraumatisation

I’m currently writing workshops for #midwives and #healthvisitors. The aim is to increase understanding of how CSA can shape pregnancy and early parenting experiences, supporting greater awareness and empathetic practice. They will take place in Jan as part of a wider programme #survivorparenting

Today it was our Beyond Labels workshop. Dr Lucy Johnstone & I worked with attendees to reframe the narrative - looking at an alternative approach to medicalising trauma. Everyone was very engaged, and discussion was valuable. #SideBySideCSA #16daysofactivism #csa @recovery-histories.bsky.social

#16DaysOfActivism Support for survivors of CSA isn’t solely about 50 minutes in therapy rooms, support groups and guilty verdicts. Therapy and groups end. Court cases re-traumatise. Regardless of verdict, the trauma still exists. 1/

The 2025 theme of #16DaysOfActivism against gender-based violence is online abuse. 1 in 3 women experience gender-based violence in their lifetime. 16-58 % of women and girls face digital violence. There is #NOexcuse for online abuse. There is NO excuse for ANY abuse.

Join this online workshop on creating narratives with survivors of abuse snd trauma, on Dec 4th at 2.00 pm. With @theflyingchild.bsky.social and Dr Lucy Johnstone. #PTMF #PTMFramework www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/beyond-lab...

In the context of #16DaysofActivism, the colour orange represents a future free from violence against women and girls. This year the campaign theme is #NoExcuse for online abuse. Violence shows up in many forms. I wrote a poem because of posts on LinkedIn that felt hypocritical. Orange Is Not 🍊

We won't run We're here to stay Howling ghosts they reappear Mountains that are stacked with fear But we have Lion hearts Though far away We are still the same Survivors are Lion Hearts ❤️❤️🦁 Be Lion-hearted With Love @theflyingchild.bsky.social King & Lionhearts youtu.be/A76a_LNIYwE?... Image

We are delighted to welcome our newest board member. John (Baker)Gregor. John has been a professional actor for over thirty years,working in theatre, television, short film @theflyingchild.bsky.social @drcisme.bsky.social @johndbnldn.bsky.social @ailise-bulfin.bsky.social @hazelklarkin.bsky.social

My two youngest have started watching @bbceastenders.bsky.social - and while the storylines can be intense, they open up important conversations that are harder to start. 🧵

Two keynotes. Two cities. Countless conversations about #CSA with MH & SW practitioners. I met with many who want to make a difference. Today I’m speaking at AD4E Festival. On Sunday Patricia Walsh (#TheFlyingChildStory) & I meet with UK Counselling Network Tired but grateful to be in these spaces 🌸

I couldn’t speak these words when I was nine. Now I can. I share as a reminder that the problem is not the survivor but a world that turned the other way. Latest blog about surviving childhood r*** and the aftermath. (A metaphorical take) #CSA www.theflyingchild.com/post/i-died-...

I’m sure most people would prefer to not work on a Sunday, so I’m really impressed that so many therapists from Child in Time turned up to a talk about my experience of surviving CSA and the impacts on my adult life. 1/

The final words in #TheFlyingChildStory are ‘Not The End’. I continue to write in the same style to put words to emotion hard to express. Overwhelm isn’t always negative. Sometimes it’s the result of being in the presence of those with the warmest of hearts ♥️ www.theflyingchild.com/post/the-lit...

CSAReps Project team members Victoria Pohls & Aleksandra Milenovic presenting at Everyday Reading of Literature (EROL) Symposium in the University of Zagreb last [email protected] @theflyingchild.bsky.social @hazelklarkin.bsky.social @drcisme.bsky.social

Tales from the Woods Tales of all cultures contain child protection messages. These stories have impact on children because they offer a "Language" to explain the experience of Living with a Predator #LanguageMatters #WordsMakeWorlds Follow @theflyingchild.bsky.social youtu.be/kFfhBX7ET-4?...

The presenters recordings of our CSAReps project launch are now available on our website @hazelklarkin.bsky.social @brenrooney.bsky.social @theflyingchild.bsky.social @drcisme.bsky.social and thank you again for your time and the wonderful presentations!👍 csa-in-fiction.com/recordings/

Some lovely feedback shared on LinkedIn by Sally Benson, Director of U.K. Counselling Network, following my talk to counsellors. ♥️🌸 #CSA #Survivor #counselling #therapy

Some lovely feedback shared on LinkedIn by Sally Benson, Director of U.K. Counselling Network, following my talk to counsellors. ♥️🌸 #CSA #Survivor #counselling #therapy

Last night I presented to U.K. Counselling Network. The aim of my talk was to explore systemic challenges in responding to victims and survivors of CSA - from my perspective as a survivor not adequately supported by the mental health system, to live alongside trauma. 1/

This word count feels like an important milestone. Thank you to those who have offered to read and feedback on my first draft. Few more chapters to write, but there is a clear direction now and I’m loving the process. Writing is the Best. Thing. Ever. #secondbook

Finally remembered my password to log back in to @bsky.app

A very moving read. Perfectly captures the Child trying to disclose the worst of horrors inflicted on their soul Listen to the Child's Voice To be read by every professional who comes into contact with child survivors of #CSA Children should be seen as #DomesticAbuse victims in their own right

Nothing more to add.

The Flying Child: Latest Blog www.theflyingchild.com/post/theflyi... #TheFlyingChildStory #CSA

Today was a recording day for The Flying Child audiobook. It’s an important process, but far from easy. (Today I was reading in a recording studio about CSA that took place in a recording studio - that was most likely part of a far wider distribution of CSAM (#TACSA) I am reflecting on:

@ailise-bulfin.bsky.social Thursday 1st May 2025 at Dept of Justice, "Irish Attitudes to Tackling Child Sexual Abuse. A Whole of Society Approach". What an inspirational event to attend. Well done to all involved! @hazelklarkin.bsky.social @theflyingchild.bsky.social @drcisme.bsky.social

If you would like to donate to a fantastic cause, this is it!!! @theflyingchild.bsky.social @ailise-bulfin.bsky.social

Today we wake up to the same devastating headlines. Most images I’m seeing of Virginia Giuffre are recent, like this one. I choose to recall the one taken when she was a young girl in her teens. A child. 1/ www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

If you are struggling because of the headlines today, please do reach out for support @rapecrisis.bsky.social ♥️🌸 #VirginiaGiuffre

Our PI Ailise Bulfin and postdoc Giulia Scapin from CSAReps Project Team are presenting at the below event on Wednesday 23rd April at 13.00 GMT, Please see joining details on the poster below @drcisme.bsky.social @theflyingchild.bsky.social @hazelklarkin.bsky.social @ailise-bulfin.bsky.social

***Reminder*** Please join us for CSAReps Project Launch on 29th and 30th of April, please see details on poster below to register. This is a free online event. @ailise-bulfin.bsky.social @hazelklarkin.bsky.social @drcisme.bsky.social @theflyingchild.bsky.social @brenrooney.bsky.social

www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/comm.... The amazing Hazel Larkin - trauma informed therapist, one of a kind, gains recognition of her wonderful work in this article @hazelklarkin.bsky.social @ailise-bulfin.bsky.social @brenrooney.bsky.social @theflyingchild.bsky.social @drcisme.bsky.social

I spend the week encouraging my kids to leave the TV and to go out and explore the harbour town we’re staying in for the w/k.When they’re out of sight, I imagine the worst things happening because the worst thing once happened to me. Parenting with trauma is hard. #CSA

It’s slow, but I’m getting there. Being by the sea helps. Plot hole fixing today, and two more chapters. #book2 #writing

This is absolutely incredible♥️🌸 As a non-profit, we rely on the goodwill of others to keep going. Every penny helps us further our work in supporting survivors of CSA. If you want to donate please follow the link 🙏🏼 www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding... Please share! 🙏🏼🌸 #TheFlyingChild #mcrhalf #CSA

Today we were recording #TheFlyingChildStory. It’s not easy reading some of my early messages to Pat. They include my ‘rehearsals’ of the words I couldn’t speak. I felt in very safe hands with Toni directing, and Will - the sound engineer - who was a calm and patient presence #audiobook. #CSA

Our very own in house poster designer Aleksandra Milenovic hanging posters in UCD this week to advertise our CSAReps Project Launch (@csarepsprojectucd.bsky.social) event on 29th & 30th April please see link to book tickets www.eventbrite.ie/e/csareps-pr... Please share! Looking forward to it

Join us for the CSAReps project online launch event Apr 29th & 30th With esteemed speakers @drcisme.bsky.social @theflyingchild.bsky.social @hazelklarkin.bsky.social @brenrooney.bsky.social Chris Godwin David Hanauer & Emilie Pine Register: www.eventbrite.ie/e/csareps-pr... Contact: [email protected]

Please join CSAReps Project Team on April 29th&30th @csarepsprojectucd.bsky.social and others @theflyingchild.bsky.social @hazelklarkin.bsky.social etc....

Day 1 of #TheFlyingChildStory #audiobook: Rehearsals with Creative Director, Toni, & a morning visit to see the recording studio & meet the lovely team, including our sound engineer. The recording of this book is a mammoth task, but I’m up for the challenge. Excited to see it come to life #CSA

Please join the CSAReps Project Team for our online project launch event on April 29th & 30th with esteemed guest speakers @drcisme.bsky.social @theflyingchild.bsky.social @hazelklarkin.bsky.social @brenrooney.bsky.social Please follow the link below to register eventbrite.ie/e/1280573031...

This is so necessary. Pregnancy and birth can be very triggering for survivors.

Today I’ve been at the University of Winchester, working with Midwifery. As always, I used my own lived experience as a springboard for further discussion. My aim was to empower midwives to recognise their role in responding to survivors with compassion, empathy and understanding. #maternity #CSA

Lucy was delighted to co-facilitate a workshop with @theflyingchild.bsky.social at the Green House ‘Beyond Therapy’ event at the Watershed, Bristol. Further collaboration is planned. #PTMFramework