Today I was brave

Thanks for sharing that Purplepoppies

That is such a big step to take purplepoppies. So brave. I wish you a good outcome which will help to ease your pain.

Coolgran65, you were very brave, especially in 1995 when things were still very different. I went to see a Dr as a 13 year old in the 70's and whilst redressing heard the Dr say to the older friend who had taken me, "You know young girls very often make these things up." That stopped me in my tracks.
In the late 80's when my daughter was young, my mother wanted to take her to see the perpetrator and I told her what had happened because she wouldn't take no for an answer. She called me a liar because I didn't want to go into the gory details and continued to invite him round at every opportunity. I just never found the courage after that.

chanelandshoes I am so pleased that this thread has helped you too. Good luck ?.
Coolgran65 I am sorry you had to lose loved ones to get justice, that's awful and so sad. But despite this you did what you knew was right. How strong you are. ?.
Annsixty you're right, people shouldn't have to risk anything to be heard. So many people are not heard because of fear.
I wonder if this was a more personal case involving close family/friends I would be speaking up? I'm really not sure.... x

These stories make me so sad and very frustrated .
Why do people have to put lives and jobs on the line to get right to prevail?
Many would put their head in the sand, I honestly don't know which camp I would be in.

Poppy, I needed to read this today. Thank you. I am about to do the same. Have a meeting tomorrow to spill the story so will say nothing here yet. But reading all your support messages has given me courage. So thank you everyone. I know I will regret it if I do not do this. This is a story of common but bad behaviour. All I hope is to make other well known - or not- men think twice before they hurt and break so many people. So thank you.

I was brave in 1995. It had taken me 20 years to find the courage.
I was ostracized by some people including some family but stood my ground. A further 23 years have passed and these people never forgave me.
It was and is their loss.
I managed without them against the odds and went on to have a happy life.

Purplepoppies, I salute your bravery. I wish I could be so brave.

I was 67 at the time and the case with the local authorities hung over the family for a few years to follow as they were trying to justify their actions. The police had already backed out.
Don't be scared to speak up and have your " speeches " prepaired.x

Bless you Purplepoppies I really can identify with you when going back to 2011 I was fighting a case against the local authority and the police. I too felt entirely alone as I sat typing until the early hours and beyond and filled an A4 exercise book with information/ammunition in readiness to avoid a court case-------and I did !! So don't despair as it takes something such as this to give you the strength and determination to see it through.x

GabriellaG - I also call that a triumph

Your messages are wonderful.
I find myself very isolated. Although I'm aware I'm not alone in this action I don't have any contact with the others, and I don't know them.
So getting support here is just what I need. Thank you.

You’re a brave lady Purple. But as well as that you have come on here and shared it with us so that we might also be helped to face up to something really difficult - thankyou for that.

Purplepoppies, you are very courageous and have great integrity. There are so many good people from all over the world who will support you and applaud your actions. Someone very dear to me has also finally reported horrible events from the past that has resulted in police investigations and other legal actions.

It's a very long and painful road at a deeply personal level as dreadful memories have to be revisited and the complex legal processes seem to progress very, very slowly. You will need all the loving support and expert care and advice you can gather around you in the coming journey. Look after yourself and stay strong. ?

Mine's not of triumph but of me deciding to let it lie. I can't be bothered rehashing something that happened just once, when I was 18/19.
It hasn't affected me and the guy is dead anyway. I live in the present and let the past fade away, only keeping the good memories of which there are too many to count.
I wish the OP luck and the strength of mind to see it through

Well done. It’s being true to ones self. With that you can rest easy and have an easy heart and conscience.
If the whole world could only be more op3n honest and less afraid of the “what if’s” we would all live in a more beautiful world.

Purplepoppies even those in " high places " can be proved wrong !!

KatyK and Mancuniangirl and allsorts thank you for sharing your experiences with me. It gives me strength and hope.
And thank you for all your lovely comments.
I've no idea at the moment what will come of any of it, it is a huge can of worms that I've added my voice to. But I will let you know at the end, whenever that will be. I'm just so relieved to be taken seriously finally x

Well done. Being brave is underrated!

Purplepoppies - and others - people who speak up are role models, especially those who, like KatyK have overcome difficulties to make decent lives.
My own grandmother and her sisters made similar decisions and passed on precious life lessons.

Yes well done, we all have to follow our own consciences however hard it may be at times.

Well done. You can be proud of yourself.

Well done - it takes courage to stick your head above the parapet.

purplepoppies Well Done.

It's never easy to be brave so I hope it brings you peace at the end of whatever ordeal you have to go through.

There was a time a few years ago when I had to speak out, then stand up and face questions by a number of organisations.

I don't ever want to go through that again but I would in a heartbeat if I had to.

I will, and I'm sure other GNers, will be here to offer you support when and if you need it as you move through the different parts of the process.

Wishing you all the Luck you need and once again Well Done.

I have never thought that I have triumphed but maybe I have. I was brought up in a violent, abusive household. I could easily have ended up on drugs or something. Instead I made a good life. I married a lovely man and brought up a lovely, decent daughter, who I think we gave good life to.