WE salute the magnificent courage Danielle and Amanda Brown have shown in working to help fellow survivors of sexual abuse.
As we reveal today, the two are to take part in the Walkley Midnight Walk along the Ridgeway.
Their chosen charity is Breaking Free, a Swindon organisation which supports women who have experienced sexual abuse, whether as adults or children.
Both Danielle and Amanda know the horrors of such abuse, having been subjected to it by a stepfather. They eventually brought him to justice and had him sent to jail.
That was brave enough in itself, but the two have now waived their legal right to anonymity in order to publicise the charity and send out a dignified message of hope and encouragement to others.
As Danielle said: “This has been so hard for us to speak out about and it feels so uncomfortable, but we want to raise awareness as much as possible and we want to encourage others to speak out.”
Breaking Free deserves all the publicity and support it can secure. As its very name makes clear, the charity helps people to deal with the traumas imposed on them, to move beyond those traumas and to have better lives.
Anybody reading this who can offer sponsorship or support, or who needs Breaking Free’s help, shouldn’t hesitate to get in touch.
As Danielle also said: “We’ve survived something really traumatic and we feel empowered and stronger now.
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