I’ve finally been heard, responsibility has been taken and I have a sense of freedom within…..

I survived the care system & the 27 foster homes. I survived the sexual abuse and negligence that I endured throughout! I also survived when my mum committed suicide when I was 11, but what I have been unable to do is live. 

I was always desperate to free my mind and escape the horror and the pain but had lost all hope of freedom And peace until I found the Maggie Oliver foundation, that’s when I realised I could still fight. 

I was taken into care at 4 and by the age of 18 I’d had been passed around 27 different foster homes, multiple schools and social services had a full care order over me. They ruined my life by not protecting me and passing me around so many  homes leaving me unable to settle, and the multiple schools where I wasn’t left long enough to make friends and get the education I deserved. I was never settled and I was handed to anyone who had space to take me. 

When I was 7 I was placed in a home where someone stole my life, my identity and my mind. I was sexually abused on a daily basis by a foster carer. I knew it wasn’t normal but knew I couldn’t say anything, who would believe me? 

I had an imaginary friend who I spoke to daily and this was the voice I’d lean on and who in my little 7 year old mind  got me through. The abuse got bad and he would kiss me for so long that I felt suffocated. The kissing was worse than the actual abuse. 

When I did finally pluck up the courage to tell my social worker I was moved. But things after that were never really spoken about, buried and although I had police Interviews which in their reports say they believed me, Social did everything to cover it up like it never happened. 

I grew up angry at the world. I was scared of men. Having my first relationships with girls because I was scared of boys. Not living just surviving everyday, feeling a terribly lost, never knowing who I truly was. 

I’m now 32 and a mum of two beautiful girls. I found the Maggie Oliver

Foundation who got me in touch with a Solcitor, and finally the sexual abuse has been acknowledged and after a tough few years using what felt like all the fight I had left, I have won my case and the  compensation awarded can be used to finally LIVE my life in peace & not just survive. This will never go away however now I’ve been heard and responsibility has been taken I have a sense of freedom within. 

Thank you Maggie Oliver you’ve given me and my little family a new lease of life. A life worth waking up for and living. 

My dream one day is to help as many survivors claim there justice and tell their story. Because living a life of feeling ashamed is a life not living. I’m finally not ashamed of my life. 

Jade.