Tilly's Story

“Who I was then and who I am now are two completely different people.”

These are the words of 16-year-old Tilly, who when she was 14, was subjected to a serious sexual assault by an adult she looked up to and trusted.

Tilly bravely told someone about what had happened to her and they reported it to us.

We did what you would expect us to do, investigated, gathered evidence, built a case and successfully put the person who assaulted her behind bars for ten years.

But not only that, we also supported Tilly throughout the investigation, understood how she felt, believed her and put her in touch with support services who have helped her recover from the ordeal.

Today, Tilly is doing really well. She’s recovering and getting stronger every day.

As part of her recovery, she wrote a poem about her experience. Earlier this year, she asked if we’d like to use her poem in some way, to help others who may have been through an experience like she had.

Tilly wanted to use her story to empower others who have experienced something horrific like she has, to come forward, speak to the police and get some help. We were honoured to help.

So, here’s Tilly’s story. Please watch it and share it with others.

It may just give someone the confidence to contact us to get some help.

#TillysStory

 

NYP Branded version 

An unbranded version of Tilly's Story is available here for partners to download and add their own signposting to.

 

Reporting rape or sexual assault to North Yorkshire Police

To report a sexual assault or rape to North Yorkshire Police, you can call 999 in an emergency or 101 in an non-emergency. If you are more comfortable to report online you can visit our online reporting page here.

Other agencies who can help

If you do not want to report to police, there are other agencies who are able to offer support and advice.

IDAS is the largest specialist charity in the North supporting people affected by domestic abuse and sexual violence. You can find more information on their website www.idas.org.uk or contact them 03000 110 110.

Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) - Victims who would prefer not to go direct to the police and are not in immediate danger, can contact Bridge House, North Yorkshire’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), on 0330 223 0362, email [email protected] or go to www.bridgehousesarc.org

You can also contact Supporting Victims in North Yorkshire at www.supportingvictims.org or call 01609 643100.

Survive - Survive offers specialist counselling and support work to all adults across North Yorkshire who have experienced sexual trauma - the term we use to describe the long term effects of sexual violence. Find out more on their website here - Sexual abuse support services in York | Survive, York (survive-northyorks.org.uk)

Anyone concerned about a child can contact the NSPCC Helpline for advice on 0808 800 5000. Adult victims of non-recent sexual abuse can also get in touch for support.

Childline is available for young people on 0800 1111 or at www.childline.org.uk

North Yorkshire Safeguarding Children Partnership - www.safeguardingchildren.co.uk

City of York Safeguarding Children Partnership (CYSCP) - www.saferchildrenyork.org.uk