Recovery Histories is a Wellcome Trust-funded research project running from 2024-2028. It is the first social, cultural and medical history into recovery from child sexual abuse in the second half of twentieth century Britain and Ireland.
About
Led by Ruth Beecher, Recovery Histories is a Wellcome-funded research project which explores the histories of ideas of trauma and psychological wounds and why over the last 75 years these have come to dominate conversations about recovery, or living with, the impact of child sexual abuse (CSA). Why are other forms of social support that individuals need to achieve emotional and physical equilibrium ignored?
Our research is co-produced with survivor and practitioner partners including Survivors’ Voices, Survivors’ in Transition, The Flying Child CIC and the Association of Child Protection Professionals.
© Lee Cooper / Victorious Voices
Research
The research aims to understand how ideas about trauma and recovery from child sexual abuse have developed over the second half of the twentieth century and why a medical model of recovery now dominates medical, psychiatric and public discourses of healing.
Methods include archival research, the co-creation of new oral histories with survivors and practitioners, interviews and observations with survivors and practitioners in their own homes or working spaces to understand their experiences and perspectives, and collaboration with organisations that have historical research data to explore if and how it might be ethically ‘re-used’ to help us understanding past experiences.
The holistic approach aims to explore methods of support beyond medication and therapy, including education, financial stability, spirituality, relationships, play, and creativity.
Archival historical research
Co-creating new oral histories with victim-survivors and practitioners
Ethnographic interviews and participant observations with survivors and practitioners
Survivor narratives – ethical data reuse
Events
Our research team organised regular seminars, conferences, film-evenings, and other public events.
Launch of Ruth Beecher’s book
Recovery Histories Network Event May 2025n
Resources
We were committed to making our research open and accessible, including sharing resources that helped inform our project.
Turning Pain into Power: A Charter for Organisations Engaging Abuse Survivors in Projects, Research & Service Development – by Survivors Voices
Blog
Members of Recovery Histories and invited guests reflected on current events, their research, recent conferences, ethical dilemmas, and other items of interest.
Affected by sexual violence or sexual abuse?
If you have been affected by issues relating to sexual violence, we can recommend some support services.
