AN INSPIRATIONAL woman from North Wales has spoken movingly about how she put her shattered life back together after sexual abuse.

Speaking with the pseudonym ‘’Megan’, the 58-year-old is convinced she would not be alive today without the help of the charity which is funded by North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones.

She was brought back from the brink of suicide by the Stepping Stones North Wales charity, which supports survivors of childhood sexual abuse, and she has now gone to university to study history.

She recalled: “When I was eight my brother, who was then 15, interfered with me, He gave me money to keep quiet. It went on for years. I remember being eight and I remember being 10 but the two years in the middle I can remember very little. I’ve blanked it out.

“I remember being 10 when my sister told my mum and my brother, and we had a conversation in the front room. I can’t remember what was said exactly but I felt I was blamed. It was like he was only practising for when he got a girlfriend. I was even called a whore for taking money from him.

“I never spent the money I just put it away, I really didn’t want it and just wanted the abuse to stop. But after the talk with mum, my brother was never left alone with me again.

According to Megan, her life continued on a downward spiral as she made some very bad choices.

Her aim now is to qualify as a teacher and work with troubled children.

In addition to the regular funding he provides to organisations who work with abused victims in North Wales, Mr Jones has accessed an extra £238,000 from the Ministry of Justice to help them cope with the extra challenges caused by the coronavirus crisis.

As a result Stepping Stones, which operates out of Wrexham, has received an extra £29,750 to support clients on their waiting list, which has enabled them to offer more slots for counselling and compensate for the lost fund-raising opportunities.

She said: “I worked with a Stepping Stones North Wales therapist for two years and I won’t pretend it was easy.

“Stepping Stones North Wales not only saved my life, it gave me my life. I joined their survivors’ group and started going to their maths and English education classes which enabled me to get my GCSEs.

“I then enrolled in college and did a two-year access course and applied to university. I’ve now completed the first year of a degree in history and can’t wait for the second year to start once the pandemic eases.

“My dream now is to finish my degree and then to teach. I’d like to work with difficult children, those that have had bad experiences too. I can understand them and will always listen to their story.”

Commissioner Arfon Jones is delighted with the success of Stepping Stones North Wales and has vowed to continue supporting the charity.

He said: “Megan’s story is both heart-breaking and inspirational. Sexual abuse is a serious crime that has long-lasting consequences for victims.

“However, thanks to the work of Stepping Stones North Wales counsellors and the Next Step Group she is flourishing and making a new life for herself, one she richly deserves.

“I see Stepping Stones North Wales as a vital service. Sexual abuse is a hidden crime and something we, as a society, need to address. Victims have to come first, and I’m delighted to be able to support this amazing charity in carrying out the vital work they do.”

For more information on the charity, visit steppingstonesnorthwales.co.uk or call 01978 352 717.