SIOBHAN PYBURN

Siobhan founded Beam Project in 2017 to create training based on direct experience of child sexual abuse. She first shared her own story of abuse on television in 2008, at the age of 17, one year after the abuser was imprisoned. Whilst speaking up about why child sexual abuse is so difficult to talk about if you are experiencing it, Siobhan also achieved a law degree and then a distinction at MSc level in Safeguarding in an International Context. Siobhan is an advocate for introducing mandatory reporting laws in the UK. She has written a dissertation on the subject, as well as participating in the 2018 seminar run by the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse.

Siobhan has spoken to many survivors over the years, and developed Beam Project’s Dare To Ask training based on those conversations. Her spoken and written work has influenced 1000s of professionals, and she also runs a YouTube channel about her experiences, which has received over 50,000 views so far. She has won two national awards for her work, and is an Ambassador for the Rose Road Association, which supports young people with disabilities in her hometown of Southampton. Recently named one of the country’s ‘most prominent activists’ on ITV, Siobhan is currently seeking literary representation for a book about her experiences as a young adult navigating big life decisions whilst healing from childhood trauma. The main driver for Siobhan’s work is to help abused children realise that they can tell someone and the sky won’t fall down; she does this through helping people who work with children everyday to understand sexual abuse from the child’s point of view.

beamproject.co.uk-about-siobhan

When thinking of all the women that have ever made an impact in my life, you are right at the top! What a godsend you were at such a trying time. Your words and advice were a big reason I got up every morning. Forever grateful.

- Natalie, child sexual abuse survivor

Tim

Tim Verity

Tim is a journalist and writer who has worked in regional and national news media since 2010. He is also a survivor of child sexual abuse and, in 2017, successfully prosecuted the relative who abused him as a child. To read more about his particular experiences with abuse, please visit his website. https://timverity.com/

Tim wants other survivors to know that they aren’t alone, damaged, disturbed or in any way abnormal; feelings it has taken a lifetime to tackle and which are still with him to some degree. Tim also wants to help other survivors to find their own voice, by offering a platform to people who feel able to speak publicly, as well as encouraging a society where youngsters who have been ‘victims’ of abuse are able to disclose before it goes any further. He therefore helps facilitate our Dare To Ask training, which is always delivered by people with direct experience

David

David Miles

David is a digital marketing consultant, trainer, and co-author of Fusion: the new way of marketing. Since 2004, his various businesses have provided training and consultancy on Google AdWords, SEO, web analytics, social media marketing, website design, and conversion rate optimisation to companies large and small across the UK and Europe. David is also a Director of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), the UK’s leading business organisation, and is an Honorary Fellow of the Institute of Enterprise and Entrepreneurs.

David’s own experiences of child sexual abuse have led to him working with organisations like Beam Project to help raise awareness of how abusers operate, and to campaign for the introduction of laws that would compel staff in schools and other institutions to report all cases of known or suspected child abuse.

Sharon

Sharon White OBE

Sharon has worked in both the NHS and Independent sector for over 35 years. She worked as a Designated Safeguarding Lead for children and young people looked after and is passionate about ensuring optimum child protection.

Sharon is a Care Quality Commission (CQC) Safeguarding inspector expert advisor and the Co-chair of the global School Nurses International. She is honoured to have been was awarded an OBE in the Queens 2015 New year’s honours list.

Siobhan met Sharon after speaking at the SAPHNA conference in 2016. She helps to promote Beam Project’s work and offers networking opportunities throughout the healthcare and wider safeguarding fields.

THE STORY SO FAR

  • 2008:
    Siobhan begins her project with youth charity Fixers at age 17, creating a video and website for people who have experienced child sexual abuse.
  • 2009:
    The project receives a Vinspired Transform National Award for ‘exceptional community impact.’
  • 2010:
    Siobhan is named ‘national woman of courage’ by bestselling author Lesley Pearce, and appears in Cosmopolitan magazine in their October issue.
  • 2010 – 2013:
    Siobhan completes a law degree at University of Exeter whilst supporting other survivors via email and trying to set up a support group for students who have experienced sexual abuse. Unfortunately, the idea is rejected due to concerns about negatively affecting student performance!
  • 2014 – present:
    Writing begins for various publications with a safeguarding focus, such as Simply ChildSafe and the Journal of Family Health.
  • 2016:
    Presented at the first national NHS Safeguarding Conference, secured grant funding under the Paul Hamlyn Foundation Ideas & Pioneers programme, and started the YouTube channel.
  • 2017:
    Founded Beam Project, putting together a board of advisors and, later, facilitators for the Dare To Ask training, which is designed and facilitated exclusively by people with direct experience of child sexual abuse. Won an UnLtd ‘Do-It’ Award.
  • 2018:
    Appeared on ITV Meridian to celebrate ten years since completing the Fixers project. Delivered training throughout the UK, impacting 1000s of professionals. Siobhan achieves a Distinction in her MSc in Safeguarding in an International Context at UCLAN.
  • 2019:
    Secured follow-on funding through PHF. Siobhan secures a place to commence a PhD in Interdisciplinary Policy Studies at King’s College London, whilst continuing to write, speak and deliver training.