Heart & Soul with Marilyn Hawes | Jean Rochford

Описание: In this deeply powerful and emotional episode of Heart and Soul on Unprecedented TV, Marilyn Hawes, CEO of Freedom From Abuse, is joined by survivor, campaigner and advocate Jean Rochford, who shares her lived experience of child sexual abuse, lifelong trauma, silence, healing and resilience.

Jean Rochford speaks candidly about being sexually abused in childhood by siblings, growing up in a large family, the culture of silence around incest and abuse, and how trauma shaped her relationships, mental health, trust and sense of safety well into adulthood. This episode explores what it truly means to survive and to heal decades after abuse.

The conversation covers:
• Child sexual abuse within the family
• Incest, sibling abuse and childhood trauma
• Why survivors often cannot remember exact timelines
• The long term impact of abuse on mental health, fear and hyper vigilance
• Why disclosure is terrifying and often delayed for decades
• Being silenced, gaslit and dismissed by professionals
• Failures of the police, social services and the justice system
• Why many survivors choose not to report abuse
• Trauma informed counselling versus harmful therapy practices
• The Truth Project and the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA)
• Healing versus recovery and reclaiming identity
• Breaking generational silence and shame

Jean also reflects on how abuse affected:
• Marriage, intimacy and trust
• Motherhood and protecting children
• Relationships with authority and institutions
• Education, class and being judged as difficult
• The isolation survivors feel even when surrounded by people

From silence to strength, Jean’s journey led her to become a powerful advocate for others. She went on to co found No More Silence, a survivor led project using photography and storytelling to give survivors visibility, dignity and voice, with exhibitions reaching schools, public institutions and the House of Lords.

This episode is not just about abuse. It is about resilience, hope, and what can happen when someone is finally believed.

Essential viewing for:
• Survivors of childhood sexual abuse
• Adults abused as children
• Parents, carers and educators
• Therapists, counsellors and social workers
• Campaigners, advocates and policymakers
• Anyone seeking to understand trauma, disclosure and healing

Heart and Soul creates a safe space for lived experience, giving oxygen to stories society too often ignores.

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If you have lived experience and want to share your story, contact Unprecedented TV.