“I wouldn’t want anyone in this world to go through what I went through. I’m not ashamed to share my story, because I know it’s going to help someone to heal. That’s why I chose not to be silent.”

Project

Globally, 1 in 5 girls have been subjected to childhood sexual violence.

In 2025, South Africa hosted the G20 – a country where the rate of childhood sexual violence is amongst the highest in the world.

Launched at the G20, “My justice, my voice: Speaking up to end childhood sexual violence” is a survivor-centered short film following the lived experiences of three survivors of childhood sexual violence – Thabile, Jacque and Sheila. It highlights the complex and often unspoken nature of sexual violence within the family and reflects on what meaningful action and accountability must look like to end this violence.

The film showcases the difficult truth that childhood sexual violence often happens in settings where children are meant to feel safe – within families, close circles of trust, and critical gaps in legal and child protection systems. By highlighting stories of violence experienced by both a mother and her daughter, the film powerfully exposes the intergenerational cycle of this abuse, demonstrating how trauma can be silently passed down when left unaddressed.

The film reinforces the need for investment in child protection and violence prevention infrastructure, and calls for urgent action by world leaders to keep children safe.

Watch the film here: