MEDIA & PROJECTS
Liz Roberts’ story was widely reported in the media following her decision to waive her anonymity. Liz quickly realised that speaking out was a key part of her personal unshaming process.
“The unfair burden that comes to rest on a victim of crimes such as yours is intense. The lifelong oppression suffered by those who are victims of such offences must be at the forefront of the judge’s mind when sentencing for these offences. The repressed voices of children have now resonated through half a century of suffering and turmoil. The cruel, criminal abuse of the young is now revealed
through the mists of time. It is to be remembered that you were a child yourself the time of the offending. I recognise your own harrowing background, but you are the perpetrator in this, not the victim. You need to banish any element of self-pity and any possible victim blaming. You were considerably older than your victims and perfectly well able to distinguish right from wrong.”
JUDGE JULIAN, BRISTOL BROWN COURT, 4TH NOVEMBER 2022
Clicking on the links below will take you to external websites. The content is not suitable for children and may cause distress.
The Story
An Unspeakable Crime
WITH DECCA AITKENHEAD AND MANVEEN RANA
SUNDAY TIMES
"The family member most likely to sexually abuse a child is their brother or sister. For years sexual abuse by siblings has been too much of a taboo to discuss but more survivors of abuse come forward to discuss their experiences."
Listen to the Podcast
The Policewoman's Secret
WITH ROBERT MURPHY
"It took fifty years before Liz was able to bring herself to confront her abuser - her own older brother. Still, she felt detectives wouldn’t take her claims seriously.
How wrong she was."
Listen to the Podcast
Handing The Shame Back
WITH GLORIA MASTERS
Handing the Shame Back was Founded by Gloria Masters who has dedicated her life to sharing her story, in turn, giving survivors like me the opportunity to do the same!
Check out the website for more interviews and resources.
BBC Radio 4 Women’s Hour
FINDING YOUR VOICE WITH ANITA RANI
“Liz Roberts chose to waive her right to anonymity and speak publicly about the sexual abuse she suffered at the hands of her brother, more than 50 years ago. Listen to her Finding My Voice interview.”
ITV West
WITH ROB MURPHY
“Somerset woman speaks out about childhood abuse by older brother”
The Guardian (Online)
WITH STEVE MORRIS
"‘It’s not my shame, it’s his’: Somerset woman speaks out on childhood abuse by brother. Liz Roberts says familial sexual abuse is a ‘hidden scourge’ that has long-term impact on survivors."
Avon & Somerset Police
PRESS RELEASE
"Woman indecently assaulted as a child urges other victims of sexual abuse to talk."
Bristol Live
WITH GEOFF BENNETT
"Woman sexually abused in Bristol as a child bravely speaks out after sentencing."
Somerset County Gazette
WITH PHIL HILL
"Liz Roberts sexually abused by Andrew Herbert."
CURRENT PROJECTS
Below are some of the projects Liz is involved in.
Liz is also passionate about speaking directly to fellow survivors who have or who are considering seeking justice via the legal system and would like a better understanding of the processes involved. If you would like to speak to Liz in strictest confidence, simply fill in the Contact Form
Please note- Liz is not a trained counsellor and will be unable offer therapeutic advice or support
The Community Facilitator Programme is designed to help the Metropolitan Police to standardise the quality of learning experience received by new and established police officers.
As a facilitator I am allocated up to 20 police officers for 2 days and lead reflection sessions following presentations by Lived Experience presenters on a range of subjects including (but not limited to) Sexual or Domestic Abuse, Knife Crime, Stop and Search and Hate Crime.
Crown Prosecution Service Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO)
The national operating model for the investigation of rape and serious sexual offences (RASSO) arose from the work of Operation Soteria Bluestone and aims to support improvement in police investigations to transform the response to victims and ensure they are at the centre of what RASSO and the other agencies do.
I am part of a project that aims to raise awareness of what the CPS does, and encourage new people to the team. My experiences will help to ensure the victim is really heard, and that teams know how to respond appropriately, swiftly and robustly.
Rob Murphy is an award-winning television news correspondent, specialising in crime and investigations. He is also a writer, top-ten podcaster and film-maker.
Click here to check out more from Robert Murphy's 'Behind The Crimes'
This global event is designed to help parents understand the real prevalence of SSA, some ways to prevent it and, if it does occur, how to respond so the family can heal in a healthy way. SSA happens at a rate three times higher than parent-to-child abuse, its impacts are devastating and potentially lifelong, and it is or has happened in a family you know, possibly even your own.
Restorative Justice (RJ) Project
This lived experience action group will have a significant advisory role in the RJ project
Thriving Survivors aims to ensure survivors' voices are
embedded throughout its work from services to policy, thus
enhancing a trauma- sensitive approach to its work.
'Getting It Right'
Getting it Right will build on the momentum generated by the Rape Crisis England and Wales research project to consolidate and grow the network of engaged and empowered adult survivors and allies, and capitalise on increased political and professional awareness in order to embed a voice for survivors.