We need to talk about ending childhood sexual abuse

Journalist Amanda Ferguson discusses the global ‘Brave’ movement and interviews a panel of childhood sexual abuse victims and survivors – Michelle Duffy, Amanda Brown, Nikella Holmes and Haileigh Ashton Lamont – who are campaigning for people with lived experience to be centred in policy and decision-making.Ending violence against women and girls is high on the political and societal agenda. Ending sexual abuse for all is of concern internationally.

Representatives from WAVE Trauma Centre will be in attendance to offer support to anyone affeccted by the issues discussed at this event.

This event is part of Féile an Phobail 2025.

Amanda Ferguson is a Belfast-based freelance journalist working as the Northern Ireland Correspondent for Reuters news agency, and is The Washington Post‘s Ireland Stringer. She carries out similar roles for newspapers, TV, radio, and digital outlets across the UK and Ireland. Amanda is a regular media awards judge, a co-founder of Women in Media Belfast CIC, a Social Change Initiative fellow, and chair of the Give Inc Women’s Fund. You can find her online: https://linktr.ee/amanda.ie

Michelle Duffy is a social worker and award-winning child and adult trauma therapist and founder of Creative Healing NI. She is a survivor of multiple types of childhood abuse, including sexual abuse. Michelle’s experiences, and the lack of action and support she received, fuel her dedication to ensuring every victim’s voice is heard and believed, and that they receive the support they need and deserve. Beyond her clinical work, Michelle is a member and advocate of Brave NI, a global movement fighting to end sexual violence against children. Michelle is passionate about victim /survivors voices not only being heard but leading through an independent survivors council.

Amanda Brown owns and runs Holistic Therapy Services and is the author of No Peace Until He’s Dead. She experienced childhood sexual abuse and is using her experience to speak out for victims and lobby for change within the justice and education systems. Amanda provides holistic therapies aimed at promoting physical, spiritual and psychological healing. She is passionate about utilising education as prevention of childhood sexual abuse and arming our children with knowledge in the fight to end childhood sexual abuse

Nikella Holmes is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and grooming by former NI Fire Chief Gary Thompson. She is currently a member of the Reference Group for the Executive Office research into Historical Clerical Child Abuse. Nikella is passionate about raising awareness of grooming and highlighting the need for safeguarding and training within faith and voluntary organisations. Nikella is a social researcher within recruitment and investment banking services as well as a part time children’s residential support worker. 

Haileigh Ashton Lamont is a victim of childhood sexual abuse, Haileigh waived her right to anonymity in 2021 to name her abuser and raise awareness. Shortly after her own justice journey, Haileigh was employed by Assist NI for 18 months, where she supported other victims of sexual violence and domestic violence engaging in Criminal Justice as well as building relationships with the PSNI, delivering training to uniformed officers and specialist detectives. Haileigh is proactive in campaigning for change within the justice system, this has included meeting with the John Gillen Review team, CVOC NI and calling for action on TV and radio. Haileigh founded Renegade Advocacy in October 2024. Her mission is to raise awareness about the impact of abuse as well as around issues of justice and recovery through the delivery of training. Haileigh is currently part of the Ulster Bank Accelerator and Queens University WE Innovate programs, a member of the Brave Movement and co-founder of Brave NI.