Take the Stand Podcast
The podcast platforming the victim impact statements from people affected by violence and abuse.
ABOUT:
Take the Stand podcast was founded when a group of survivors realised victims of rape and serious sexual offences were being asked by the police and CPS to write victim impact statements (VIS), only to find they were never read aloud, as intended. Our podcast gives people subjected to abuse the opportunity to read their statement aloud, for the very first time and talk briefly about their experience leading up to court and, just as importantly, discuss their feelings afterwards.
If you wrote an impact statement that was not read because the perpetrator pleaded guilty, was found not guilty, your case never went to trial or any other reason, this is the podcast for you.
Women who spent weeks writing their VIS and not have it read out, told us “I didn’t matter in that court case. Nobody got to hear me, they’ve only ever heard his side.” Women told us, without their words being heard they felt “incomplete”, “betrayed” and unable to move on.
Victim-survivor statements that remain unspoken contain the long-lasting effects of trauma that, once shared, can form a portfolio of episodes that others can listen and go back to. The courage and bravery of victim-survivors is instrumental, not only in building communities of solidarity but in changing societal narratives and rape myths. Take the Stand is a platform for people to be heard, at last.
This podcast showcases victim/survivor words, spoken by themselves or by another woman of their choosing. This is a space which allows them to speak up and out.
If you want to have your voice heard and share your VIS on our podcast, you can submit your experience below:
You can donate to our Crowdfunder here: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/takethestand
Who we are:
We are all volunteers at a variety of organisations including:
Charlotte Schreurs from Open Justice for All . We are a collective of victim/survivors who have been subjected to male violence and who were told they would be charged thousands of pounds to read their court transcripts. Find more information at: www.openjusticeforall.com, or on X at OpenJustice4All or Instagram: @OpenJusticeForAll
Roda Hassan from Riverlight. Riverlight is a non-profit organisation based in London advocating for abuse survivors, human rights, and legal reform. Their work is centred on amplifying the voices of survivors, leading human rights campaigns, and producing research reports to drive legislative change. For more info visit : www.riverlight.org.uk
Dr Jane Osmond, recently retired as an Assistant Professor at Coventry University, is currently voluntary director/chair of Creative Optimistic Visions, a social enterprise company. COV offers workshops and training to promote protective behaviours to organisations that support young people, as well as working directly with young people looking to boost their confidence. For more info visit: www.creativeoptimisticvisions.co.uk
Sarah Learmonth, formerly worked at Coventry Rape Crisis and Sexual Assault Centre, and, as well at volunteering for Creative Optimistic Visions (see above), is now completing a PhD which is examining the myths and impacts of bail in rape cases.
Contact:
To contact us about anything, or to be a guest on the show email: takethestandpod@gmail.com
Copyright Statement:
Take the Stand does NOT give permission for anyone to reuse all or part of the podcast content for any purpose without our consent and the consent of the guests, who own the copyright to their own statement.