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Lucy from Stop it Now!

Member since
September 2018

490 posts

Posted Tue September 19, 2023 9:01amReport post

Dear Forum Users,

As you probably know, our direct messaging feature has been up and running since April, and has proven to be a very popular addition to the forum. Whilst it is great that you are using and enjoying direct messaging, please remember to keep posting publicly too. The fact that the forum is open means that many of our users, especially those in the earlier days of their journey, can visit and benefit from the existing and new posts made by registered users. Whilst these users may not post themselves, we know that they gain valuable insight, knowledge and reassurance from viewing other's recent posts. With that in mind, when sending a direct message, please consider whether others may benefit from the conversation being shared on the main pages of the forum.

As always, thank you for being so kind and supportive to one another.

Take Care

The Forum Team

Edited Tue September 19, 2023 9:01am

edel2020

Member since
March 2022

373 posts

Posted Tue September 19, 2023 10:56amReport post

It's inevitable that posting would drop off, although I was interested to hear the stats on Womans hour about the forum. 40,000 viewers, of which 2,000 are posters, which is 5% of the total.

Is that the most up to date figure, or is it historical data?

Lucy from Stop it Now!

Member since
September 2018

490 posts

Posted Tue September 19, 2023 12:51pmReport post

Hello Edel2020

We can confirm the figures our CEO Deborah mentioned on Women's Hour reguarding the forum were the most up to date figures.

Take Care

The Forum Team

JulieM

Member since
July 2023

76 posts

Posted Tue September 19, 2023 1:42pmReport post

I wonder if there's going to be an uptake of new members thanks to the Women's Hour broadcast? I hope it's managed to reach families who have been suffering in isolation. I know this forum has been a massive comfort for me. I/we had a year of private counselling which was great, but it didn't relieve those feelings of isolation. To have all you wonderfully strong, resilient woman walking this journey alongside me has been the single biggest positive step to helping me survive this nightmare that wasn't of my own making.

Dragonmama

Member since
November 2022

251 posts

Posted Tue September 19, 2023 3:09pmReport post

I'll be honest people might feel like they are able to post if it were a little more private, at the moment anyone can see the forum posts, maybe make it so only members can read

Bitterbean

Member since
December 2021

635 posts

Posted Tue September 19, 2023 4:40pmReport post

It's a difficult one, in a way the forum needs to be available for anyone to read otherwise how on earth are people who have not (yet) been affected by this crime going to realise the far reaching implications for affected families, but at the same time people will be more guarded about what they post for fear of self identification, which for many could be disastrous, whether it is being identified by partners, other family members, the neighbours, work colleagues or even social work, probation, the police or the prosecution service...

I think this as a public forum is great for sharing of general advice and information, but for more personal or specific information then the personal messaging service for people who have to log in should be used. From a safety point of view.

Blue Sky

Member since
February 2023

205 posts

Posted Tue September 19, 2023 5:17pmReport post

Post deleted


Edited Fri January 12, 2024 4:16pm

Inthemoment

Member since
February 2023

358 posts

Posted Tue September 19, 2023 7:45pmReport post

I think it's important it stays public. I was terrified to sign up for a while in the initial paranoid weeks in case the police were tracking my email or some such thing so I read without signing up for some time and it gave me immense support and hope. But it is inevitable that more sensitive things will now be on DM and it's going to be a tricky balance.

Daffodil

Member since
March 2022

965 posts

Posted Wed September 20, 2023 5:18amReport post

Post deleted


Edited Tue October 24, 2023 9:12am

Smile through tears

Member since
September 2021

2550 posts

Posted Wed September 20, 2023 7:39amReport post

Agree Daffodil......

all I can say is we were searched twice - it felt like our home was being raped..... :-(

SAL

Member since
December 2021

895 posts

Posted Wed September 20, 2023 8:02amReport post

I think it's important that the forum stays public. I understand the concerns about not wanting to reveal too much. In the early days I was very paranoid and deleted some posts after I'd had responses (I also gave LFF a false name and location when I called) , but more than paranoid I was greatful to be able to read other people's posts, I found them to be a great support and informative, to this day I don't think I'd have reached this point without them. I don't delete now, in part because I'm beyond that point of my journey but also to allow others that will come behind us to benefit from. I have used the messaging a few times, but they've been less for practical matter but more companionship and well wishes.