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

It’s an honour to be a speaker in the next series of external lectures organised by Tavistock Trauma Service. I’ll take attendees on my journey through #CSA and the compounding impacts of medicalised intervention, eventually seeking an alternative in the form of human-centred, empathic therapy.

We have 🌸✨FOUR 🌸✨spaces left in our next online writing group! It is a well-established group and a gently faciliated space, with no pressure to share work unless you want. Whilst not a therapy group, wellbeing support is available. Open to all adult survivors of #CSA [email protected]

Essential reading for all school teachers, social workers & professionals working with children #WorldBookDay #worldbookday2025 #Trauma #CSA amazon.co.uk/Flying-Child... @theflyingchild.bsky.social F l y Child F l y

Aftab misses the point in this review. Psychiatry and Pharma have constructed and promoted the medical framework that was so misleading to the author and many others and leads to the cascade of pointless and harmful interventions she endured www.psychiatrymargins.com/p/a-memoir-f...

Age 9 months - 10 yrs - chronic nosebleeds requiring urgent and frequent cauterisation: “No known cause.” Age 11: onset of severe scoliosis. Within one year the cause of chronic and near-constant pain: “No known cause.” 1/

This mth marks 1yr since the release of The Flying Child - A Cautionary Fairy Tale For Adults. Our book launch was hosted by SHaME, & we were joined in London by a panel of speakers, including poet, writer & activist Clare Shaw, GP Jonathon Tomlinson & SHaME’s Director, historian Dr Ruth Beecher 1/

I created a lot of 'noise' in my life - always out, alcohol, drugs, anything to avoid dealing with the reality. It's a form of harm. Sitting down in my first counselling session was so scary - I just burst into tears. But it was the first day of the journey to better understanding & coping #CSA

Me too. I vividly remember saying to my T I don't have any angry bone in my body. I'm always nice. I was (and still am at times)full of rage. I just pointed it inside.

That I had a right to be angry. That I wasn't responsible for keeping the family together. That I wasnt a terrible child who deserved it.

This is a very important point. I wish I’d known that poor responses to disclosure were very common - and equally, not my fault for speaking up. #CSA

I was at Making Survivors Visible In Education conference, delivering survivor-centred workshops into systemic barriers that stand in the way of meaningful support. I also got interviewed by the BBC, who worked very respectfully, considering I can’t be visible #CSA ➡️ www.youtube.com/watch?v=1B34...

If you’re a survivor of CSA, what do you know now that you wish you’d known as a child or young person? #CSA

In @thetimes.com article I conclude “It is impossible to say that taking SSRI antidepressants is worthwhile, or even completely safe.” www.thetimes.com/article/f638...

On day 6 of #ItsNotOk: Be mindful of using the term ‘trauma p**n’ or ‘trauma dumping’ to describe the stories survivors of CSA are disclosing - some after decades of silence. It’s shaming, and demoralising. 1/