Hillary McCollum: A Survivor’s View

“We learn that we are to blame for the abuse, and it's up to us to prevent it from happening. This is how we are socialised from girls to women. And as women too, it is up to us to prevent men from abusing us. Don't wear a short skirt, that might provoke a rape. Don't go out at night or you'll be attacked. Don't ask your husband for support. That's nagging, and it justifies him hitting you.”

“Mental health services, at least in this country, largely ignore sexual abuse as a cause of mental health problems. They are much more interested in diagnosing physiological causes, in labelling neuroses, schizophrenia and personality disorders, in prescribing drugs and ECT, than they are in helping a woman deal with the effects of sexual violence.”

“We mustn't forget the importance of women's testimony.”

“I don't want to be silenced. I had enough of that during the abuse, but I don't want to be stigmatised either. A whole generation of young women are missing out on the feminist analysis and feminist support because of the way our movement currently responds to women who are open about being abused. We must work to change this situation.”

Abstract:

Hilary addressed the conference on her experiences of surviving child sexual abuse. 

Hilary is an Irish feminist who grew up in the Six Counties and now lives and works in London. She has been an activist for over 10 years, campaigning primarily on the issue of violence against women. She has been involved in initiatives on domestic violence, and was a founder member of Justice For Women; she has also been involved in campaigning against pornography, rape and child sexual abuse. Hilary is Head of Hackney Women's Unit, one, of the supporting organisations of this Conference and she is currently involved in Action Against Child Sexual Abuse. 

Since 1996:

Hilary has continued her activism, chairing and writing for domestic homicide reviews, and contributing to policy around child sexual abuse. She is a trustee of the domestic abuse charity Respect. She is also a successful author, and is a member of the Society for Authors.