Survivor joins calls for the first annual World Day for Prevention, Healing and Justice to End Sexual Violence Against Children & Adolescents

Matthew McVarish to give away free copies of his book to support teen survivors’ recovery

WHEN: Thursday, November 18 from 9 am to 12 noon

WHERE: Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain, Piccadilly Circus, London

WHAT: Matthew McVarish will be marking #EndChildSexAbuseDay by giving away hundreds of free copies of his book, The Truth That No One Tells Teenagers, and asking people to read, share it and seek support if they need it.

INTERVIEWS: Matthew will be available for interviews on November 18 in person or in advance of the day.

#EndChildSexAbuseDay

#Nov18WorldDay

#PreventionHealingJustice

Actor, writer, activist and survivor of childhood sexual abuse Dr Matthew McVarish is aiming to spread a message of hope to anyone who has or knows someone who has, been the victim of childhood sexual abuse.

A child who had been sexually abused saw Matthew speaking on television and contacted him to ask how he had recovered from the abuse he suffered. Answering that simple yet profound question led Matthew to write his book, The Truth That No One Tells Teenagers, a practical guide to enable survivors of all ages to navigate their own recovery but also how and where to seek professional help.

Within it, Matthew sensitively shares aspects of his own experience, of growing up whilst being sexually abused in secret by his uncle. Drawing on everything he wished he’d known when he was 13, he has created the ‘ten facts every teen victim has the right to know.’

“I had to search for years to find these answers for myself. You have been through enough already; You shouldn’t have to search for years as I did. You’re about to learn the truth you need to know right now, so you can take back control of the rest of your life.”

On November 18, survivors, and aspiring allies around the world who are building a global movement, are mobilising to launch the First Annual World Day for Prevention, Healing and Justice to End Sexual Violence Against Children & Adolescents.

The intentions of this global mobilisation are to:

• Acknowledge the magnitude of the global crisis of sexual violence against children and adolescents;
• Call for systemic change in communities, countries, and globally to address this global crisis;
• Call for long-term sustained funding for organisations focused on Prevention, Healing and Justice to ensure programmes reach all children everywhere;
• Unite organisations and advocates across disciplines, promote partnerships and share resources for effective Prevention, Healing and Justice policies and full-scale programmes that reach and safeguard all children everywhere;
• Ensure that survivor voices and experiences are heard, acknowledged, honoured and included by governing and decision-making bodies.

Matthew will join action taking place around the world on November 18 by giving away £10,000-worth of copies of his book in central London.

He wants the book to reach young people – survivors, potential victims, their friends and those who can support them – to raise awareness about paths to recovery, to build resilience and to inspire young people to seek support.

Matthew is being supported by Professor Tink Palmer MBE, founder and retired CEO of the influential Marie Collins Foundation, which is dedicated to supporting survivors of child sexual abuse, and the NWG Network.

EDITOR’S NOTES

Dr Matthew McVarish has chaired international discussions on children’s rights at the United Nations and the first Global Survivor Forum for ECPAT International, the biggest organisation in the world tackling childhood sexual exploitation. He has been given a personal audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican.

Matthew walked 10,000 miles visiting every EU capital on foot to campaign for the abolition of the statute of limitations on reporting child sexual abuse. His walk encouraged governments to table motions in their parliaments and, in some countries, he became the first male survivor ever to speak publicly about having been sexually abused as his message was broadcast on TV, radio and newspapers in over 30 languages.

In recognition of his achievements, Matthew received the prestigious Top Scot award, following in the footsteps of previous winners JK Rowling, Susan Boyle, Sir Chris Hoy and Andy Murray.

The Scottish Government commissioned his research, entitled The Quality of Silence, outlining the sociological, economic, and cultural obstacles to reporting CSA faced by survivors in the 40+ countries in which he has worked. Matthew has given lectures on his research to the UN, Icelandic, Serbian and Scottish governments as well as Scotland’s Police, Crown Office, and Procurator Fiscal.

Originally a client of the Moira Anderson Foundation, Matthew is proud to now be the charity’s International Ambassador. The organisation guided him and his brothers through the prosecution of their uncle.

Aside from activism, Matthew, who has a masters in acting from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, has appeared on television and theatre in the UK and US. As a playwright, his debut show, To Kill a Kelpie, ran Off-Broadway then toured the USA.

His book is available on Amazon, Kindle and audible.com, and is highly recommended by child psychologists. The book link is HERE

CONTACT

To arrange interviews with Matthew McVarish or Tink Palmer, contact Sarah French on 07887 525192, email: [email protected]