Culture Fern Champion On Fighting For Sexual Violence Survivors: ‘I Do Have Control Of My Story’ Fern Champion was raped while travelling, and later denied access to trauma therapy back in the UK due to government cuts to women's services. Fern started a hugely successful online petition to raise awareness – and found herself meeting ministers at 10 Downing Street two months later. Here, she tells her story. By Natalie Cornish Culture Fern Champion was raped while travelling, and later denied access to trauma therapy back in the UK due to government cuts to women's services. Fern started a hugely successful online petition to raise awareness – and found herself meeting ministers at 10 Downing Street two months later. Here, she tells her story. By Natalie Cornish Previous article Food And Lycra Co-Founders On Inclusive Fitness: ‘Regardless Of Shape, Size And Colour, Just Move’ Next article Ruth Fox On Making Body-Positive Art: ‘I Want My Art To Encourage The Beauty In The Alternative’ “I didn’t know what was going to happen [when I started the petition]. I was working with [charity] End Violence Against Women, so I knew I had their support and there was a potential for it to get somewhere. I remember that moment when I announced I was launching this, and then I remember being told, ‘Fern it’s already at 50,000 signatures’ having only gone up a few hours before. My brain just stopped in that moment. It’s a huge moment of, ‘Wow, this is happening’.“I do look at the comments [on the petition] and the number of people commenting, saying ‘rape and sexual assault happened to me and I couldn’t get support and, in some cases, I still can’t get support’. It speaks to so many different people on so many different levels. Something like this has been needed for such a long time. Finding Your Voice is a special photographic series highlighting female activism. You can find out more about Fern’s campaign here and follow her @fernemily93 If this article brings up any issues for you, or if you need to speak to someone, please call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), the national sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling service. findingyourvoice Best Of Future Women Culture “Never an excuse”: Why Katrina still can’t stand the smell of bourbon By Sally Spicer Culture Janine never thought divorce would mean losing her family and friends By Sally Spicer Culture “Invisible victims”: Why Conor was forced to live in an unsafe home By Sally Spicer Culture Miranda*’s mothers group helped her escape abuse. Then the stalking began By Sally Spicer Culture “We can’t change this on our own” By Melanie Dimmitt Culture “Marching forward means ensuring all our voices are heard” By Melanie Dimmitt Culture Dr Ann O’Neill’s husband committed “the ultimate act of revenge” By Sally Spicer Culture The question victim-survivors like me are tired of being asked By Geraldine Bilston Your inbox just got smarter If you’re not a member, sign up to our newsletter to get the best of Future Women in your inbox.
