Tom: Part 2 - Now

Explicit content warning

07/11/19 • 15 min

Tom Leavesley-Matthews tells Catriona how he copes today after surviving childhood sexual abuse. He talks about what it was like to climb Mount Kilimanjaro to raise money for organisations helping survivors of male sexual abuse and how just going for a run helps him clear his mind on difficult days. He also talks about he and his husband’s plans to start a family and his hopes and worries for the future. If you've been affected by child sexual abuse or violence, you can find details of organisations in the UK who offer help and support at bbc.co.uk/actionline. Presented by Catriona Morton, After is a 10-part series, featuring discussions between survivors of sexual abuse and assault about what happened to them and how they cope now. Produced by Danielle Stephens. The Executive Producer is Clare Chadburn. It is a Wisebuddah production for BBC Sounds.

Previous Episode

Tom: Part 1 – Then

Tom Leavesley-Matthews was 11 when he was sexually abused after a period of grooming. It took him many years to realise what had happened to him. But at the age of 29, he went to the police, and his abuser was convicted five years ago. He talks to fellow survivor Catriona about the abuse he experienced and what it was like to report it to the police many years later. He also talks about the long-term loneliness he experienced, particularly after he told his family and friends about what happened to him. This episode contains discussion of sexual abuse directly and the suicidal thoughts and loneliness it can cause. If you don’t feel like listening to details of sexual abuse, that’s fine. You can head straight to the next episode of After, to hear how Tom has coped since. If you've been affected by child sexual abuse or violence, you can find details of organisations in the UK who offer help and support at bbc.co.uk/actionline. Presented by Catriona Morton, After is a 10-part series, featuring discussions between survivors of sexual abuse and assault about what happened to them and how they cope now. Produced by Danielle Stephens. The Executive Producer is Clare Chadburn. It is a Wisebuddah production for BBC Sounds.

Next Episode

Alissa: Part 1 - Then

Alissa Anne Jeun Yi was raped on a night out while at university a few years ago. Alissa tells Catriona why she found it difficult to understand that what happened to her was rape, even though she was studying law at the time. This episode contains discussion of sexual abuse directly, so if you don’t feel like listening to that now, you can head straight to the next episode of After, to hear how Alissa has coped since. If you've been affected by sexual abuse or violence, you can find details of organisations in the UK who offer help and support at bbc.co.uk/actionline. Presented by Catriona Morton, After is a 10-part series, featuring discussions between survivors of sexual abuse and assault about what happened to them and how they cope now. Produced by Danielle Stephens. The Executive Producer is Clare Chadburn. It is a Wisebuddah production for BBC Sounds.