The Truth Project is encouraging neurodiverse people who were sexually abused as children to share their experiences of abuse. This could be where an organisation or someone in authority did not respond properly, or where signs of abuse were missed.
The Truth Project, part of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, provides victims and survivors with an opportunity to share their account and make suggestions to help better protect children in future. The Inquiry is working to ensure that the Truth Project process is as accessible as possible for everyone, and that differences in neurological experiences are supported.
To help ensure every voice can be heard, elements of the Truth Project process have been reviewed and adapted, with particular consideration toward communication, social communication, structure and sensory experiences.
Participants can choose to share their experience in a way that suits them, such as in writing, over the phone, by video call or by attending an in-person session. Additional support options and considerations have been developed to ensure that those who identify as neurodiverse feel comfortable to access support from us. This includes the additional option of video support calls.
In developing these adaptations, we have been guided by a psychologist in the neurodevelopmental field, as well as the Inquiry’s Victims and Survivors Consultative Panel.
To protect the wellbeing of participants, in light of current government restrictions, the Inquiry has had to make some changes to the way in which we deliver in-person sessions.
More information about these changes and the different ways to share can be found on the Truth Project website.
