CIS’ters provides emotional support for females, age 18+ who, as female children, were sexually abused within a family environment. Raising funds, we find, is often difficult as many members of the public feel empathy towards child victims but

Episode 32: The Sensitivity of Raising Awareness of Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence

Feb 6th, 2023 15m 10s

CIS'ters provides emotional support for females age 18+ who, as female children, were sexually abused within a family environment. Within this podcast we explore the topic around the sensitivity needed, in raising public awareness of Sexual Abu

Episode 31: Using Self Help Materials

Jan 23rd, 2023 9m 1s

CIS'ters provides emotional support for females age 18+ who, as female children, were sexually abused within a family environment. Within this podcast we explore the topic of self-help materials, such as journals, which many adult survivors use

Episode 30: The Importance Of NHSE, An Interview With Kate Davies CBE

Oct 17th, 2022 14m 16s

Introducing Kate Davies CBE talking about the importance of NHS England to victims or survivors of sexual assault and abuse. Podcast covers specific prevention and response strategy including input from CIS’ters. Featuring CIS’ters trustees Eil

Episode 14: Through the eyes of a Midwife

Mar 14th, 2022 17m 25s

Within CIS'ters, as survivors, we know that many victim/survivors of sexual crimes experience heightened fear and anxiety when accessing midwifery services. In this podcast Kathryn Gutteridge, a past president of the Royal College of Midwives,

Episode 11: The Power of Music (a revised and re-recorded version of episode 11.)

Jan 3rd, 2022 10m 10s

When you are finding life heavy going, it can be a good idea to put together a play list of uplifting music. In years past, this may have been on a CD. But all sorts of technology can be brought in here, from smart speakers to phones, spotify

Episode 9: Loss (a revised & re-recorded version of the original episode 9.)

Dec 27th, 2021 7m 48s

Loss is a concept explored with the different perspective of the survivor of sexual abuse in mind. Clever insight into the experiences of loss, the differing circumstances and ways forward are discussed. If you would like to know more, please

Episode 29: Window of Tolerance

Dec 20th, 2021 12m 13s

The Window of Tolerance is a idea developed by Dan Siegal. He suggested we all have 3 key states. There is the optimum layer, where you are able to exert self control and everything is manageable. This is the like the middle layer of a sandwic

Episode 28: ACE's

Oct 3rd, 2021 17m 29s

Episode 28 – Adverse Childhood Experiences This podcast explores the issue of ACEs and how important it is to build resilience in children and adult survivors. Plus signpost https://cisters.org.uk/the-impact/adverse-childhood-experiences-ace/

Episode 27: You think I am alright, you are wrong

Sep 19th, 2021 7m 35s

In this podcast we reflect on the difference between recovery and resilience, the latter being a more tangible target. The topic includes aspects of trauma and the impact on emotional well-being including suicidal thoughts and also on physical

Episode 26: ISVA Who they are and where to find one.

Sep 13th, 2021 13m 29s

This podcast talks about ISVA's. Who they are, what they do and how to find one. If you have a situation involving recent or non recent sexual assault or longer term abuse, contacting an ISVA allows survivors to make informed choices about whet

Episode 25: Institutional CSA Cover Ups

Sep 5th, 2021 8m 19s

This podcast highlights a recent report issued by the Independent Inquiry into CSA into how abuse has been covered up within faith communities. This report is just one of many issued by the Inquiry (www.iicsa.org.uk) which is due to finish in 2

Episode 24 Abusers Can Be female

Aug 15th, 2021 7m 14s

In this episode we seek to explore the increasing reality that not all offenders are male – that there are female abusers too. A topic that is often overlooked as it is counter to the belief that females are the nurturers. We hope that this po

Episode 23: Trauma And Physical Health

Aug 8th, 2021 8m 39s

In this episode we explore the physical health conditions that can arise from trauma during childhood. More information on this link can be found on our website under the heading of ACEs. www.cisters.org.uk We hope that this podcast will help

Episode 22: Mind Your Language

Aug 1st, 2021 9m 51s

In this episode we explore the impact of the way in which others might discuss sexual abuse and the impact that this can have on a victim/survivor. Members of the public/work colleagues/others need to be more aware that inappropriate conversat

Episode 21: Counselling And Therapy

Jul 25th, 2021 13m 10s

In this episode we explore what it is like to go into counselling, as an adult survivor of sexual abuse during childhood. This approach can help many individuals to explore painful aspects linked to their early life experiences, and the impact

Episode 20: Reflections On The Past Few Months

Jul 18th, 2021 5m 10s

Producing podcasts has been a new venture for CIS’ters and in this episode Gillian reflects on recent months, and what else is happening within CIS’ters. If you would like to know more about CIS’ters and the peer work we undertake, please visit

Episode 19: The Survivors Trust, CEO Conversation

Jul 11th, 2021 14m 35s

Introducing Fay Maxsted, the CEO of The Survivors Trust. Learning about what the trust does, how it came to be and the continuing work of the trust in supporting survivors.

Episode 18: Complex Emotions When An Abuser Dies

Jul 4th, 2021 9m 41s

In this episode we explore some of the complex issues and feelings that can arise when an abuser dies or is dying. As survivors all of our experiences as children are unique. This, and the family we grew up in, affect how we will feel and behav

Episode 17: Domestic Abuse

Jun 27th, 2021 9m 16s

Domestic Abuse For those sexually abused as children there is a heightened risk of re-victimisation as adults. This podcast explores the topic of Domestic Abuse and the ways in which this can occur, including coercive behaviours. Often victims

Episode 16: CIS'ters Response- Report Abuse In Education

Jun 20th, 2021 14m 36s

Within CIS’ters we have highlighted, with other charities, for many years the existence of escalating sexual abuse/rape/exploitation/harassment within our schools. The Department of Education has funded a dedicated NSPCC line for pupils to rep

Episode 15: Self Neglect And Self Harm

Jun 13th, 2021 12m 24s

Within CIS'ters as survivors we recognise that survivors can often neglect areas of personal care and that many use self harm as a coping strategy. This podcast explores the issue of self neglect, and how it can compares/contracts with topics

Episode 13: Learning Something New

May 29th, 2021 9m 52s

Learning something new "Moving forward" for a victim/survivor of sexual abuse as a child, entails an element of learning something new. Of letting go and finding new opportunities of "being" and of living. But learning new brings additional vul

Episode 12: Isolation Through The Eyes Of Survivors

May 22nd, 2021 11m 44s

Within this episode we explore the ways in which victim/survivors of sexual abuse experience a sense of isolation. Emotional isolation can be a result of the need to self protect as a child and then into adulthood. It is a way of maintaining si

Episode 11: The Power of Music (old version.)

May 16th, 2021 10m 10s

Music and particularly the role of songs have a powerful part to play in helping victim/survivors to improve their emotional resilience. This podcast highlights the way in which music and song can be harnessed to give us the energy that is need