Our History
Survivors’ Network was founded in 1990 and has grown considerably, while staying true to our activist roots.
Survivors’ Network was founded in 1990 by a group of women who had themselves survived childhood sexual abuse and wanted to ensure that others did not have to face it alone. Together, they created services rooted in understanding, care, and lived experience. We were the first organisation in Brighton and Hove dedicated specifically to supporting people affected by childhood sexual abuse.
Those who founded Survivors’ Network shared a clear and powerful mission:
“To offer accessible, meaningful support to women who had experienced sexual abuse in childhood, and to play a role in preventing the sexual abuse of children now and in the future.”
From the very beginning, this commitment took practical shape. We launched a helpline and a drop-in service, creating spaces where survivors could be heard and supported. For many years, we also produced a zine called Speak Out, giving survivors a platform to share their voices and experiences.
The mission from the start was to provide relevant and accessible services to women who were sexually abused in childhood and to prevent it happening in the future.
As Survivors’ Network has grown, so too has our reach and understanding of who needs support. Over time, our services have expanded beyond Brighton and Hove to support people across Sussex, and we have opened our doors to all survivors of sexual abuse and sexual assault.
Today, we support survivors of all genders, ages, and backgrounds, recognising that sexual violence can affect anyone, and that support should be available regardless of when the abuse happened. While our work has evolved, our core values remain the same: to listen, to believe, and to offer compassionate, survivor-led support.
In the early days of Survivors’ Network, one of the projects created was a hand-crafted banner. Its words may have faded over time, but the message still remains clear: survivors are believed, they are not to blame, and their experiences do not have to remain hidden.
That spirit continues to guide us today. Every service we offer, every piece of support we provide, is rooted in that same commitment to validation, safety, and empowerment. While we have grown and adapted to meet the needs of survivors of all genders and ages, and of both recent and non-recent sexual violence, the dedication and vision of those who founded the Network in 1990 remain at the heart of everything we do.
Find out more in an interview with one of our Founders