Why are we?

It’s Matt here. I was excited to join with Chrissie, David and Daniel to bring together the UK network of Conversion Therapy & Exorcism Survivors. I long for a time when we can be free of the shame, guilt and stress that often comes with the memories associated with our experiences of Conversion Therapy, Exorcism and Spiritual Abuse. For me, the beginning of my journey towards freedom involved reading others stories in books or blogs and recognising myself in those stories. These stories gave me the strength to talk about my own experiences, and I found myself being heard by other survivors, even as the institution denied that my story was true.

My reason for joining this project is to hold organisations to account. I am hopeful that the joint witness of our stories will demonstrate to the institutions that our pain is valid, that they have caused harm, and to encourage them to make changes to policy as well as to take steps to help those who have been harmed. I would love to help support those who are submitting complaints to organisations. I can’t promise results, but I want to be able to back anyone who is taking those steps, in the same way I was supported and backed by others as I held the light of truth up to my abusers.

My dream is that one day we will be able to celebrate our survival together.