My name is Dale Fischer.

I was abused between the ages of 8 and 13 by my stepfather. I did not tell anyone about it until I was 38, when my stepfather was caught through an online sting operation which opened the door to my disclosure. He is now in prison for his crimes.

After 30 years of silence, my first step towards healing from the abuse was counselling following the trial. This led me to start Strength Beyond Silence as a local initiative for fellow survivors who have never been able to speak to anyone for whatever reason. Maintaining my fitness, going for walks, visiting coffee shops and generally being around other people have been the most positive coping mechanisms for me.

My friends and family have been incredibly supportive. There have been times when they did not really know what to say or how to handle the situation I was navigating, but they were still there for me. Their support helped me grow into the person I am today. I am not ashamed of my experiences, and I am making sure I keep CSA and survivors’ voices in the public eye. We should always remember abusers rely on silence.

There are many setbacks on the healing journey. I am still often up and down, so to speak, but I remind myself how far I have come and that I once thought this version of life was never meant for me. My advice for other CSA survivors is to do things at your own pace and on your own terms, when you are ready. Nothing can change the past, but you can change the future and how you live with what happened to you.

If you live in South Wales, I run a local CSA support and awareness group called Strength Beyond Silence, where I speak with survivors who are seeking support from others who understand.