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Lived Experience Group

What is the Lived Experience Group?

The Lived Experience Group (LEG) is made up of adult victims and survivors who are passionate about improving outcomes for those harmed by technology-assisted child sexual abuse (TACSA). The advocacy group was established in 2021 and exists to provide a safe, supportive space for victims and survivors to share their expertise through true participation. 

Members of the group have a wide range of different experiences including technology-assisted abuse, familial abuse, trafficking, image-based abuse, and child sexual exploitation.

The LEG is survivor led in all aspects. It is co-ordinated by our Head of Advocacy, Rhiannon-Faye McDonald, and our Victim and Survivor Advocate, Megan Hinton, both of whom have lived experience of TACSA. The group have been instrumental in the co-production of the LEG Advocacy Strategy which sets out the key issues they want to act on.

Three women stood chatting and smiling

What do the Lived Experience Group do?

Man in brown jumper sitting on a chair speaking to people in a circle

The LEG are working towards a world where anyone harmed by TACSA receives a high-quality professional response, suffers no further harm and is supported throughout their recovery journey. They aim to 'blow the lid off of' TACSA so that victims and survivors no longer have to suffer in silence.

They inform academic research, educate frontline professionals, parents and wider society about the specific impacts of TACSA, and lobby policy makers to place children at the heart of decision making. An important aspect of the work undertaken by the group is challenging negative stereotypes and stigmas that those with lived experience continue to face long after the abuse has ended.

Lived Experience Group Testimonials

  • "The Marie Collins Foundation sets a high bar whilst working with survivors of child sexual abuse. I always feel appreciated, respected, well supported and that my welfare is paramount during engagements as part of their Lived Experience Group."

    Nicole Caroli, Lived Experience Group Member

  • "MCF don’t just work with survivors and our lived experiences, they help us to tell it in a way that we are safe, and we feel comfortable and respected. In our healing they are also our help and voice. "No more harm" is not just words it’s their philosophy. And they are not just here for us, they are here to love us."

    Paul Finney, Lived Experience Group Member

Join us

If you would like to speak to us about joining the Lived Experience Group then please get in touch.

To join the group you must meet the following requirements:

  • Be aged 18 or over.
  • Have lived experience of technology-assisted child sexual abuse (this can include but is not limited to: the creation/distribution of child sexual abuse material, sexual harassment,  extortion, grooming or exposure to sexually explicit materials including pornography).
  • Be at a place in your recovery journey where you feel able to engage in discussions around technology-assisted child sexual abuse. If you are not yet at this stage and feel you need support click here. 

Due to the sensitive nature of our work, the recruitment and induction process has a number of different stages and expressions of interest will be considered on a case-by-case basis. We take safeguarding very seriously and our Lived Experience Group is a safe space for its members.

All potential LEG members will be subject to safer recruitment and a DBS check. If you are unsure or have concerns that this may prevent you being part of the group, you can contact us for an informal discussion to discuss any past incidents/convictions that you feel may preclude you from joining the group.

At any stage of the recruitment process, MCF reserves the right for an individual to not proceed.

We require a range of voices and experiences within the LEG and work carefully to ensure this balance is maintained. The composition of the group does fluctuate and at times we may be looking for specific experiences in areas that are not currently represented within the group.

 

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