The Something to Say Podcast

In this conversation, Dr Elizabeth Jeglic, Professor of Psychology at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York and a researcher specialising in sexual violence prevention, child sexual abuse and sexual grooming, shares what more than two decades of research has taught us about how grooming happens. Dr Jeglic explains the different stages of the grooming process, from identifying vulnerabil...

In this second conversation with Tanya, she returns with an important message: it wasn't her fault. The responsibility belonged entirely to the person who groomed and abused her. Drawing on what she now understands, Tanya talks about how grooming can happen, what those who groom children may look for, and why children can never be responsible for the manipulation of an adult. She also shares w...

In this deeply personal reflection with Anu, a CSA survivor and trauma professional, she explore how behaviours such as people pleasing, overworking, overachieving, seeking approval and hyper-independence can develop in response to difficult experiences earlier in life. The conversation looks at how these patterns may once have helped us feel safer, accepted or in control, but can continue long af...

Aziza Kibibi is a chef, author, activist, entrepreneur, mother and founder of Precious Little Ladies, Inc. In this deeply personal interview, Aziza shares her experience of surviving prolonged childhood sexual abuse, gender-based violence and psychological abuse by her biological father. Abused from the age of eight and isolated from the outside world, Aziza describes how manipulation, secrecy and...

Clinical psychologist Dr Emily combines professional expertise with her own lived experience of childhood trauma to explain why child abuse is so often hidden in plain sight. She explores why many children don't disclose abuse, how fear, shame, manipulation and loyalty can keep them silent, and why disclosure is often a gradual process rather than a single conversation. Drawing on psychology and p...

Rafael Viola was just nine years old when he was placed into the care of the local authority. Over the years that followed, he lived in five children's homes, where he says he experienced physical, psychological, and sexual abuse. In this powerful interview, Rafael reflects on the lifelong impact of childhood abuse, from the loss of trust and interrupted education to mental health struggles, addic...

EXCLUSIVELY FOR WORLD SUICIDE PREVENTION DAY For years, conversations around childhood trauma have rightly focused on CSA awareness, but there’s another form of abuse that often goes unseen: children witnessing domestic violence inside their own homes. In this video, Luke shares the impact of growing up in an environment shaped by fear, violence, and silence. As a neurodivergent child, he witnesse...

Honour-based abuse isn't only about the extreme cases we hear about in the media. It can also involve controlling where someone goes, who they see, whether they can work or study, who they marry, and whether they're allowed to make decisions about their own life. In this deeply personal video, Arzia shares her experience of growing up in a family where control, physical abuse, forced marriage and...

At just 13 years old, Oli entered a relationship with an 18-year-old woman, a relationship that was known by friends, family, and teachers but never stopped. In this honest reflection, he explores how childhood sexual abuse can be misunderstood, particularly when the victim is male. He discusses how his partner was also a victim of severe abuse, how previous experiences of online grooming and sexu...

Gigi Kilroe shares her journey through profound loss, abuse, and recovery. After losing her mother at five, she developed unhealthy coping mechanisms that followed her into adulthood. She speaks openly about surviving domestic abuse and two sexual assaults, the lasting impact trauma had on her relationships, self-worth, and boundaries, and how years of suppressed memories eventually resurfaced thr...

Content warning: This video contains themes of sexual abuse. If you think it may be triggering for you please take care when listening. The thoughts and opinions expressed by our contributors are not necessarily those held by Something to Say. The thoughts and opinions expressed by Professor Selena Bartlett are her own and do not necessarily reflect the views of any institutions or organisations w...

Content warning: This video contains themes of sexual abuse. If you think it may be triggering for you please take care when listening. The thoughts and opinions expressed by our contributors are not necessarily those held by Something to Say. For many people, childhood sexual abuse is only recognised when it involves physical contact. But abuse can take many forms, and the impact of non-physical...

Content warning: This video contains themes of sexual abuse. If you think it may be triggering for you please take care when listening. The thoughts and opinions expressed by our contributors are not necessarily those held by Something to Say. Yasemin was just four years old when the childhood sexual abuse began. What started as grooming by someone she trusted continued for more than a decade, hid...

Content warning: This video contains themes of sexual abuse and suicide. If you think it may be triggering for you please take care when listening. The thoughts and opinions expressed by our contributors are not necessarily those held by Something to Say. In this episode, STS sits down with Tom Chapman, founder of Lions Barber Collective, for an honest conversation about the barriers that stop man...

In this powerful conversation, Chloe from The B Brave Project, opens up about the urgent need for more honest discussions around child sexual abuse (CSA). After years of silence, she explains how shame thrives when experiences are hidden and why speaking openly is so important for healing and awareness. Chloe shares how grooming and control can look very different in every situation, often making...

Something to Say is incredibly honoured to be joined by Anna Sonoda, a licensed clinical social worker, educator, and nationally recognised expert in child sexual abuse prevention and grooming awareness. Anna talks gives us a clearer understanding of grooming, how it happens, the warning signs to look for, and how awareness can help protect children. Anna describes how prevention starts with commu...

Ryan was 11 years old when it first happened. Home wasn't always a safe place. His mother struggled with alcohol, and there had already been previous trauma from domestic violence. Most mornings, Ryan would climb into her bed, just to feel close to her and to feel some sense of comfort. One morning, her boyfriend was there too. When his mother got up to go to work, she left Ryan alone with him. Th...

Jeremy Indika founder of Something to Say Official, presents his story. When Jeremy was 8 years old when his father allowed a trusted friend and colleague, to stay in their home after his parents’ divorce. The man appeared kind and respectable, gaining the family’s trust. Behind that image, he groomed and assaulted Jeremy. The process was so subtle and calculated that, even as an adult, Jeremy can...

Elizabeth June, known as June, grew up as the daughter of a single mother. Because her mother had to work, June was often left in the care of other families. During this time, she experienced sexual abuse from older children in those households, so frequent that she began to believe such behaviour was normal. At just 12 years old, a family friend, a grown male she trusted, sexually abused when he...

Sarah was always afraid of her dad; then something happened that confirmed her suspicions... Sarah talks about being fearful and a child and growing up scared leading heartbreak, when she realised that she wasn't imagining anything. Our brain often protects us from trauma and Sarah talks about why her dislike of her father was for valid reasons. Join our YouTube or Patreon Memberships for extra co...

Phillippa is an SRA (Satanic Ritual Abuse) survivor. She was a victim of child rape, torture and extreme abuse. Out of what was meant to destroy Phillippa, she survived by walking away as a teenager and speaks about finding God. In Phillippa's eyes, her faith stands as a quiet but relentless truth; even the most brutal evil cannot extinguish divine light.  Join our YouTube or Patreon Membersh...

Content warning: This video contains themes of sexual abuse. If you think it may be triggering for you please take care when listening. The thoughts and opinions expressed by our contributors are not necessarily those held by Something to Say. Marita was just 7 years old when she was abused by teenage boys. Despite speaking up straight away, nothing was done. Marita tells the story of her determin...

Content warning: This video contains themes of sexual abuse. If you think it may be triggering for you please take care when listening. The thoughts and opinions expressed by our contributors are not necessarily those held by Something to Say. Lee describes how abuse exacerbated an already troubled childhood, and how years of drug abuse and criminality followed. But he has managed to turn his...

Content warning: This video contains themes of sexual abuse. If you think it may be triggering for you please take care when listening. The thoughts and opinions expressed by our contributors are not necessarily those held by Something to Say. Diane was silenced for over 40 years. She speaks of the power of finally being able to speak out, and to give her victim impact statement when her abus...

Content warning: This video contains themes of sexual abuse. If you think it may be triggering for you please take care when listening. The thoughts and opinions expressed by our contributors are not necessarily those held by Something to Say. Whilst he was a young man, raised in a religious institution, Matthew was harmed in the most profound way. When he tried to raise the alarm, no one listened...