Alyssa is a Child Sexual Abuse Survivor

Alyssa is a Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) Survivor, and she lives and is raising her two boys on Kaurna land in greater Adelaide.

As a mother, sister and a Victim Survivor (VS), Alyssa is passionate about sharing her story to raise awareness of Child Sexual Abuse, and the ongoing generational impacts it has.  She is committed to breaking down the stigmas and ensuring that every survivor has access to the support and community they need.  

A victim survivor of CSA as a small child, in 2019 - due in part to the bravery of a friend sharing her own story - she realised that she was not alone.  

Recognising she was one of a horrifyingly large number of Adult CSA Survivors living in silence, Alyssa decided to speak up, share her story and address the abuse she was subjected to.  She did this to hold her perpetrator to account via the legal system and with the hope that it may show other victim survivors that they too are not alone.  

Despite the fact that a conviction was incredibly unlikely Alyssa bravely stepped up and spoke up! In the eyes of our legal system, the abuse Alyssa suffered was considered ‘historical’ as it had been committed years before. Time passing, did not however, diminish the impact of the abuse suffered, or the knowledge that her abuser had not been held accountable for their actions.  

Alyssa’s desire to seek justice and hold her abuser accountable took years.  Family and friendship relationships have ended as a result of speaking up, however, she has been welcomed into the survivor community with open arms and wonderful support.  This support from close friends and the broader survivor community enabled her to stand strong through the lengthy legal process and despite the odds, obtain a conviction against her abuser.  

Alyssa attended the National Survivors Day event hosted by Her Excellency the Governor of South Australia, Frances Adamson in Adelaide in 2023, as she saw the work that other VS have and are doing in this space and wanted to contribute to the continuation of the conversation around victim focused reforms and CSA awareness.   Attending this event has led to a connection with IGFF and Alyssa is now our SA Ambassador for National Survivors Day in 2024.

Join us in welcoming Alyssa as she continues to fearlessly lead the charge towards a world free from sexual assault and institutional abuse.