About #notmyshame
In 2020, Emma-Jane Taylor shared a quote to social media, saying 'being sexually abused as a child, was not my shame'. Many survivors across the world connected with her.
In 2021 she continued to shout out about NotMyShame and in 2022 expanded this quote saying 'I am not afraid to say I was sexually abused as a child. I was just a child, it isn't my shame!', social media erupted. In May 2023 she put her quote on her tee-shirt, it went viral.
She says "we see many great causes emblazoned across merchandise across the world, but nothing on child sexual abuse. It’s like every other cause means something and this doesn’t. Wearing a tee that shares the silence of child sexual abuse, is not comfortable. But I know wearing it has given me confidence, opened up more conversations and allowed more awareness for the campaign work I do".
In May 2023 Emma-Jane was inundated by requests for a tee-shirt. Realising she couldn't keep up with the supply and demand, she decided to open a shop front to manage the requests and here was the launch of the #NotMyShame movement. The movement marked it's first year in 2024.
On the day there is a minute silence at 11am BST, survivors and allies are encouraged to share posts using the #NOTMYSHAME hashtag - and for those feeling brave and able enough - to use their social media pages to wear and share their tee-shirts and merch. There are no rights on wrongs, we all must do what we feel comfortable to do.
We hope you wear your merchandise with confidence and without shame, because "YOU" have nothing to be ashamed about. If you would prefer to just use the hashtag and not wear our merchandise, then that is FINE too - there are no right's or wrongs, just what makes you feel confident.
Dates for the diary:
- 1st May is also our Global Rock Drop Day.
To join our private Facebook group for survivors of CSA - please click the link on our website to follow subscribe / verification process.