Strength Beyond Silence

If you or someone you care about is struggling to cope with the isolation that comes from being a survivor of Child Sexual Abuse,
Strength Beyond Silence is ready to help.

Since 2024, I've been on a mission to succeed in helping free countless individuals from the mental isolation they feel with the

heavy burden of staying silent and not having anyone to talk to.

As an adult survivor of child sexual abuse, I understand the pain and isolation those in my position feel.

They feel alone, I have been there, for far too long.

I want to be able to be there for those locally and in the surrounding areas as a person of contact, someone they can reach out to.
Not to go public or share their story but to not be alone anymore.

I want people to know that there is someone they can talk to if needs be, someone who has also experienced pain and the

weight of silence, someone who will have that shared experience and will hold no judgement.

When words fail, sitting in silence just being there with them or even a hug of acknowledgement that transcends language,

just as long as they know there is someone out there for them.

When I was growing up I had nobody to turn to and felt I couldn’t go with the standard mental health awareness groups

as I had a niche or taboo situation.

We all must walk our own paths through life, but we don’t have to do it alone.

I'm here to help, all you have to do is reach out.

I want to provide opportunity for you to share your experiences, seek understanding, and alleviate the burdens that you may have
carried in silence. However, if you or someone you know is in immediate danger or experiencing a crisis, please seek help from a
qualified professional or contact emergency services without delay.

I aim to provide a supportive space for discussing experiences of CSA (Child Sexual Abuse) and offer a listening ear.

Whilst I am not a licensed therapist or counsellor, I am here to offer support and empathy and if you feel you could benefit from
counselling we can arrange this though one of our partner organisations.

mY Mission

Supporting fellow survivors of CSA by being a point of contact,

aiding them in finding their voice, and breaking free from the silence of their trauma.

My Journey

A Childhood Overshadowed: Growing up I faced unimaginable horrors during my early years. Starting from the age of 8, I endured sexual abuse from my stepfather for several years, resulting in me being having a troubled childhood. These traumatic experiences cast a thirty year shadow over my life.

Exploring Normality: I kept my difficult past hidden for a long time, aiming to create a sense of "normality." Carrying this weight in secret resulted in depression, anxiety, and thoughts of suicide. My only motivation at the time to keep going was to ensure my brothers and my mum continued to live n what I believed was then a content family life. In my Victim Impact Statement, I expressed, “I would rather choose a life of my own sadness over being the cause of my family’s sorrow.”

Breaking the Silence: I faced an opportunity to break my silence, yet it meant stepping into an unfamiliar realm beyond my control. Carrying this weight for so long gave me a sense of authority, albeit at the expense of my mental health. Speaking out meant delving into a realm of uncertainties. Would I be believed? How would my family respond? Could this fracture the family unity I worked so hard to maintain in all my life? Would my beloved wife stand by me?

What fate awaited the family home? The unknowns loomed large.

A Mix of Chance and Fate: Enduring 10 months of anticipation for the sentencing date brought frustration, family divisions,

and the spread of lies, casting doubt. I yearned for closure.

A spontaneous text message I had sent to my stepfather years ago resurfaced and played a crucial role in the case.

Realising I still needed to complete my Victim Impact Statement,

I embarked on a pre-planned road trip across America.

During a visit to the Martin Luther King Museum in Memphis, a random stroll through the gift shop led me to a small book of quotes by the late MLK.

As I flipped through the pages, my eyes settled on a poignant quote:

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."

I knew at the point things may just be ok

You may defeat the boy, but you cannot conquer the beast: Following a transformative and unforgettable journey, I made the choice to add my newfound favourite quote to the end of my Victim Impact Statement. I was certain the judge would read it, even if he didn't verbalise it. I had been voiceless for an extended period, but during the trial, a resolute inner strength emerged within me, determined to secure justice for the young boy I had unknowingly left behind throughout the years while I struggled to find my way through life in isolation, detached from everyone.

Patience is a Virtue: I never envisaged being in the position I was after all these years, I always thought the life I was living, isolated in my mind, putting on a mask daily just to blend in enough that people wouldn’t see beyond the surface was the card I was dealt.

I just got on with it. So when I heard the sentence of 20 Years, I could have been dreaming. It didn’t seem real. How can this be, but it was.

It was a small win, I could never have my life back, those lost years, the memories faded. For what it was worth it was a shit life before for me.

I struggled daily even with all the things I had achieved. I had my own family but I was so distracted that I wasn’t really living before this event and that I didn’t appreciate what I had. I was sleepwalking through life.

Coming Back to Life - Strength Beyond Silence: After undergoing months of counseling, I emerged with a newfound appreciation for life. However, I found myself at a standstill, needing time to adapt to my changed circumstances and the absence of burdens. Uncertain about my purpose, I felt exposed, as if everyone knew my life, leaving me feeling out of control.

A casual gathering with old friends on New Year's Day altered everything. While Pink Floyd's "Coming Back to Life" played softly in the background, I had a moment of clarity. Lost in the lyrics, I found personal significance, and my perspective shifted, “I was Coming Back to Life”

I Knew then I had to help others. I discovered a strength and purpose that transformed me from a silent sufferer, to a beacon of hope for others.

I found my Strength Beyond Silence

SHARE YOUR STORY

Creating a Supportive Environment to Share Our Truths and Empower Others.
Together, Let's Re-write the Story.
Have You Discovered Your Strength?
Speak Out!
Share Your Journey.

FOUND YOUR STRENGTH?

Privacy

We value your privacy and confidentiality above all else. When you share your experiences with us, rest assured that we handle your information with the utmost sensitivity and confidentiality.

We recognise the bravery it takes to open up about your experiences. Our platform is a safe space designed to provide support and strength for others who may have gone through similar experiences.

While we make every effort to maintain confidentiality, there may be instances where sharing your story could help others or raise awareness about CSA. If you wish to share your story on our platform, anonymously or otherwise, we will discuss and coordinate this with your explicit consent and involvement.

Your trust is our top priority, and we are here to assist you every step of the way.

Thank you for sharing your story with us and finding your strength.

Connect

If you're arranging a speaking engagement, organising an event, or want to get involved with Strength Beyond Silence then Dale is enthusiastic about working with you.

With his experiences, perspectives, and commitment, Dale is the perfect collaborator for charity events, thought-provoking conversations, and community projects. If you're a survivor looking to share your story, break your silence, or contribute to positive change, Dale is only a message away.

Begin a conversation with Dale now by clicking one of the buttons below.

Disclaimer

During our contact, if there is any mention of self-harm, harm to others, or any indication of immediate danger, it's important to understand that this platform is not equipped to provide crisis intervention or counselling services. If such concerns arise, it may be necessary to involve the relevant authorities or emergency services for the safety and well-being of all parties involved.

Please note that while this conversation aims to provide a supportive space for discussing experiences of CSA (Child Sexual Abuse) and offering a listening ear, it is not a substitute for professional counselling or therapy. I am here to offer support and empathy, but I am not a licensed therapist or counsellor.

Ultimately, each individual is responsible for their own actions and decisions. Participating in this chat does not imply any liability or responsibility on my part for the actions taken by individuals before, during, or after our conversation.

This platform serves as an opportunity for individuals to share their experiences, seek understanding, and alleviate the burdens they may have carried in silence. However, if you or someone you know is in immediate danger or experiencing a crisis, please seek help from a qualified professional or contact emergency services without delay.