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You are stronger than you think and you are not alone.

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You are stronger than you think and you are not alone.

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One remedy I reckon would go a long way in mitigating this societal issue is early education on the subject matter. It is often taboo in many cultures to speak about SA, even though it is a reality. Teach young men and women as early as possible what this is, how to protect themselves, and most especially why it is evil. I am a firm believer in the notion that only light can drive out darkness. We need to shed more light on this topic.

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One remedy I reckon would go a long way in mitigating this societal issue is early education on the subject matter. It is often taboo in many cultures to speak about SA, even though it is a reality. Teach young men and women as early as possible what this is, how to protect themselves, and most especially why it is evil. I am a firm believer in the notion that only light can drive out darkness. We need to shed more light on this topic.

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As a society, we must hold ourselves accountable for the continued persistence of SA. As a man, this week, I would like to take a stand with everyone who have been sexually assaulted in any form. Unfortunately, in Nigeria where I am from, there's less focus on SA in educational environments, even though it is very prevalent. So I am thankful that there's a week such as this in UK institutions. 

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As a society, we must hold ourselves accountable for the continued persistence of SA. As a man, this week, I would like to take a stand with everyone who have been sexually assaulted in any form. Unfortunately, in Nigeria where I am from, there's less focus on SA in educational environments, even though it is very prevalent. So I am thankful that there's a week such as this in UK institutions. 

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you are not your worst days. you are not what happened to you. we may not know why they did what they did to you, but we do know that it was a reflection of themselves, not you.

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It will never be your fault.

It is not your fault.

It was never your fault.

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I know it's hard but you can get through this. I believe in you

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There are times when something in the news—a big case, a conversation, another story shared—hits me unexpectedly. It brings everything back. A reminder of just how common this is, how deeply ingrained it is in our world.

I’ve experienced it in different ways—on the street, in relationships, in moments where someone decided my body wasn’t mine to control. And for a long time, it felt like they had taken something from me. But something I’ve learned, something I hold onto, is that they don’t own me. My body is mine.

It’s painful to see how often this happens, how many people are affected. In England and Wales alone, 1 in 4 women have been raped or sexually assaulted since the age of 16. 1 in 6 children experience sexual abuse (Rape Crisis). These numbers should shake us. But alongside that pain, I also see change. Consent is being taught in schools—something I never had growing up. More people are speaking up. Survivors' voices are louder than ever.

There are still days where it feels overwhelming. Days where I feel like things are moving backwards. But then there are days where I feel it in my bones: I survived. I can stand up. I can be here for others. Healing isn’t a straight line, and neither is progress. But I believe we are moving.

I want to dedicate this post to every single person impacted by sexual abuse and sexual violence. Your experiences, your voice, your healing—they matter. You matter.

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You are never alone. You deserve to be loved. It was not your fault.

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SA isn't something I would wish on my worst enemy.

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You are never alone, we stand with you. 

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You are never alone, we stand with you. 

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I light this virtual candle today in solidarity of all victims of sexual abuse and violence.

Know that you are not alone, it will not be easy, it will not without pain but the journey to healing is through not around it.

This is an ongoing issue that is prevalent even in such private and typically considered "safe spaces". We need to remind ourselves to actively have these difficult conversations about abuse because you would never know who and when this may affected someone.

It is truly is disheartening to see people I have known for years, people I love and truly care about hide the pain of ongoing sexual abuse and violence - eating them alive.

We owe it to victims of such abuse and violence to know how to able to lend an ear and actively support them.

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As a survivor of sexual abuse, I can promise you that you will get through this and that everyone is with you every step of the way ❤️ you are stronger than you think!

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I stand.

I stand with you.

I stand alongside all those that have experienced SA/SV.

I stand for courage and calling out unacceptable behaviour.

I stand for creating inclusive and supportive environments.

I stand for making things better.

I stand alongside all those that have experienced SA/SV.
I stand with those who have not been believed.

I stand for those who have been ignored.

I stand with those who need a voice.

I stand for trying to make things right.

I stand with you.

I stand.

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Sending love and support to all that have been subject to sexual abuse & violence of any kind, remember that you are not alone.

I have experienced SA a few times in my life. I have never fully talked about what happened when I was a teen and I don't think I will ever choose to. I just wanted to say that it is okay if you never feel comfortable to share your experiences as you hold that power and decision, but just know that it wasn't your fault.

I was able to speak out after a more recent experience and wanted to share my story with anyone who might read this to maybe spread awareness that help is out there if you would like it (which you may never be ready to and that is totally okay). After disclosing what happened to the police and making a statement, the individual pleaded guilty and ended up serving a jail sentence. If I am honest it hasn't changed how I feel about the situation, but I've learnt that is okay.

Just remember that trauma will manifest itself differently in everyone, there is no right or wrong way of dealing with it. Just know you are loved and hopefully over time there will be change. Remember that what happened is never 'insignificant' and 'not a big deal', your feelings are valid.

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A candle for everyone who has suffered sexual abuse and violence. We all know far too many people who have suffered. This is horrific, but it means we are not alone. You are not alone. We understand your pain. Love yourself, be kind to yourself and do not blame yourself. It was not and is not your fault - the behaviour of other people is their responsibility, not yours. You are not at fault. You are not alone.

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I stand with every person who has been affected by sexual violence or abuse and hope that you see that support is everywhere. Asking for support can be scary but so beneficial in the long run, it does not have to be a professional, it can be a friend, a partner, family etc.

I hope if you have experienced violence or abuse that you focus on self-care, that you heal and that you know you are believed.

Things do get better even if they don't feel like it in the moment, or days, or weeks, or months after. <3

The small steps towards healing build up and over time they become big steps, sometimes all you need is to take that small step, reflect, acknowledge, and be kind to yourself and the next steps will become easier.

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I have, do and will always believe you <3

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I am lighting this candle to stand with every person who has been affected by sexual abuse or sexual violence. I am sending healing and peace to anyone who has had one of these experiences and hope to those who need it. There are lighter times ahead :)

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Charlotte Lawrence - Everybody Loves You

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To all survivors: we see you, we hear you, we are here for you. You are not alone. You are believed.

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To speak up about your experience is incredibly brave and there will be those who will believe you. I do.

Thank you for making people accountable.

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To every survivor: you are not alone. Your voice matters, your experiences matter, and we stand with you.

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To every survivor: you are not alone. Your voice matters, your experiences matter, and we stand with you.

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Today, I light this virtual candle to honour all survivors, a tribute to their resilience, and a call to action to address this pervasive harm. As part of my work at the University, I am deeply committed to supporting survivors, raising awareness of the critical issues surrounding consent, and confronting the broader continuum of sexual violence and abuse. From everyday sexual harassment to systemic acts of harm, it is essential to challenge the attitudes and structures that enable these behaviours.

This candle also represents the ongoing need for education and dialogue about consent, respect, and accountability. By creating spaces for survivors to be heard and by fostering a culture that prioritizes safety and dignity for all, we can collectively work towards a society free from all forms of abuse.

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Please can you spend a few minutes sharing your thoughts to help us ensure future campaigns and events are of interest and inclusive.

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Instructions for Adding a Virtual Candle

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Instructions for Adding a Virtual Candle

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How to Add Your Candle:

1. Click on any empty space on the Padlet board to begin.

2. Select the "Image Search" option from the menu that appears.

3. Search for and choose a candle image that resonates with you.

Alternatively, you can upload a saved photo of your own by clicking the upload option.

4. Once your image is selected, you can write a short message or reflection to accompany your candle.

5. Click "Publish" to add your tribute to the board.

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As someone who's experienced SA, weeks like these can be both comforting and difficult. Raising awareness is important, especially to recognise that this could happen to anyone and remove the shame. However sharing to raise awareness can be painful, especially for people who experienced SA during their early childhood as I did. The main survival instinct is to forget it happened, yet so much can trigger memories. There's also the fear of being treated differently, of people feeling sorry for you, especially when you have built up so much strength and taken back control of yourself.

If there is one thing I would want to say to people, it's to be considerate about what you say, what you share and how you lead into conversations about SA/SV. Avoid effectively forcing people into disclosing and having to re-visit something painful in order to protect themselves from the conversation.

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Lady Gaga - Til It Happens To You (Official Music Video)

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Comedian Daniel Sloss Tells Men to Hold Other Men Accountable

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Refer yourself to the University's Sexual Misconduct Liaison Advice Service. Available to both students and staff.

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Refer yourself to the University's Sexual Misconduct Liaison Advice Service. Available to both students and staff.

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We acknowledge that this week’s topics can be deeply personal and sensitive. For those who may be impacted, please take care when engaging, and know that you are not alone. We encourage you to access the support provided on this page if needed.

All submissions to this wall will be manually moderated to ensure this remains a safe and supportive space for everyone.

Thank you for your kindness and contributions as we honour this important week together.

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Double-click on a blank space to share a virtual candle, messages of support, or submit anonymous reflections.

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Double-click on a blank space to share a virtual candle, messages of support, or submit anonymous reflections.

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It is a place for students and staff at the University of Law to come together in solidarity, reflection, and support. We invite you to light a virtual candle, share messages of encouragement, or submit anonymous reflections to help foster a community of care and understanding. Comments maybe left anonymously however if you have a padlet account, please ensure you are logged out.

Please note we may circulate the final copy on one of our internal platforms.