Three young survivors of child sexual abuse are using their experiences to help others find safety, support and the courage to speak out.
As part of Sexual Assault Prevention Month in April, the Child and Youth Advocacy Centre of Simcoe-Muskoka (CYAC) invited members of its Youth Advisory Group to share their journeys publicly - difficult conversations they say are necessary if the stigma surrounding abuse is ever going to change.
The three young women, now advocates with the centre, all came to CYAC as children or teens seeking help after experiencing abuse.
For Valeria, speaking out was life-changing.
“In January of 2024, I finally said the secret I’ve been keeping for a while, and I opened up for the first time,” she said. “Ever since it’s helped me in so many ways. It’s been a huge blessing in my life.”
Valeria said she initially feared what walking into the advocacy centre would be like, but instead found a place that felt safe during one of the most chaotic periods of her life.
Now, she says she wants other survivors to know they do not have to carry abuse alone.
“You are truly not the only one,” she said. “You have people here waiting for you to help you.”
That theme - fear, silence and uncertainty - was echoed by the other youth advisors.
Amelia said she stayed quiet for years, in part because she thought what was happening to her was normal, and later feared the fallout of telling someone.
“I was very scared to come out about it because of the retaliation that might come,” she said.
It was only after serious mental health struggles that she decided she needed to tell the truth.
“It was such a relief, but also the start of such a difficult journey,” Amelia said. “But I did get a lot better from it, and if I hadn’t done that, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
Matida shared a similar experience, saying family reactions and blame made an already traumatic situation even harder.
Still, she credits the advocacy centre with helping her through investigations, court proceedings and the long healing process that followed.
“They also came with me to court, which was really amazing to have them being there through my journey,” she said.
The CYAC says stories like these are exactly why youth voices are central to its work.
Listen below to our our fill interview. It begin at the 28:50 mark.
Staff say members of the Youth Advisory Group help shape programming, support initiatives, and ensure the centre remains a welcoming place for other young people walking through the doors.
The group is also helping lead an upcoming public awareness event, Get Loud: Breaking the Stigma of Silence, a community breakfast scheduled for May 29.
Organizers say the event is designed to move the conversation beyond awareness and into action, bringing together parents, professionals, community leaders, and residents to talk openly about child abuse and sexual violence - and how adults can better respond when children come forward.
For Amelia, the message to adults is simple.
“Your priority when someone’s telling you this is you need to say, ‘I believe you, thank you for telling me, and you’re so brave,’” she said.
And for anyone currently living in silence, the young advocates offered the same reminder:
“Healing begins when silence ends.”
More information on the May 29 event can be found through the Child and Youth Advocacy Centre of Simcoe-Muskoka website and social media channels.
