I thought sexual violence was only if you were raped, I didn’t understand that although I wasn’t raped, what happened to me was sexual assault and was not ok. It had a really negative impact on my life and caused a lot of problems for me. After my friend told me about KASA I agreed to contact them, and things changed for me after that. I am so thankful that services like yours exists in Co Kilkenny, it has made all the difference to me”

“Hello, my name is Ger. I went to my doctor Brendan lee. While I was with Dr Lee, I told him I was sexually abused. He gave me the phone number for the Kilkenny Rape Crisis Centre. I picked up the phone and called the number and it was the best thing I have ever done. The counsellors there are fantastic and listen to all my problems over a number of years. All men out there pick up the phone or tell somebody about your problems”

“Thank you to the service for everything. You helped me so much and in turn my family and friends are delighted I’m back living life again and coping. I know there will be good times and hard times but I’m not frightened anymore – I can cope, I’m so grateful to you all, thank you”

“It has taken me 28 years to reach out for help in accepting and dealing with my abuse. It was an amazing process, helped with the guidance, support and understanding of my counsellor there, and I will be eternally grateful”

“Being a man, I was in shock and denial for months after being raped. I hated the idea of having to go to counselling and acknowledge the reality of what happened to me, I felt so much shame and responsibility for it. Once I finally decided to engage and met my counsellor, having a weekly space to try and understand the layers of shame and the trauma it had caused me helped me so much in my healing. I’m so grateful I had the courage to make the call and find a way to heal”