Case study:
Beyond Survival
Clare Egan

Aiming to change the conversation about life after sexual violence through community and storytelling.

The Problem

Approximately 2 million people in Ireland have experienced sexual violence, which can profoundly impact their physical, emotional, psychological, and social well-being. The World Health Organisation describes sexual violence as “a global health problem of epidemic proportions.” Survivors are significantly more likely to face addiction, suicidal ideation, and various mental and physical health problems. The average lifetime cost per victim of child abuse is estimated at $210,012. Sexual violence also affects survivors’ ability to maintain relationships, feel safe in their bodies, and engage in work and social activities. The trauma extends beyond individuals, impacting families and communities and potentially being passed down epigenetically. Despite these severe repercussions, survivors in Ireland receive minimal support or guidance in their recovery journey.

Solution

Beyond Survival’s central mission is to help survivors of sexual violence feel less alone. They do this through the following three pillars:

1. Personal Storytelling: sharing personal stories through articles, podcasts, and other resources, Beyond Survival aims to reduce stigma and build a supportive community.
2. Trauma-Informed Workshops: empowering survivors by providing them with the tools and strategies needed to take control of their own recovery.
3. Public Policy Campaigns: advocating for changes in public policy to create better support systems for survivors.

Beyond Survival’s approach is rooted in the latest scientific research on post-traumatic growth, which not only enhances the well-being of survivors but also equips them to challenge societal attitudes towards sexual violence. Since joining The Ideas Academy, Beyond Survival has become more focused on a specific demographic of survivors and designing programs to meet their most urgent needs. Overall, Beyond Survival focuses on what survivors seek most: community, resilience, and post-traumatic growth.

Beyond Survival was established to provide crucial support for survivors of sexual violence, who often find themselves without the resources they need to heal.

Impact

Beyond Survival’s central mission is to help survivors of sexual violence feel less alone. Claire Egan launched Beyond Survival as an online community and newsletter in November 2023. Since then, the community has grown to almost 500 people who receive a weekly email and invitation to engage in community conversations.

Over the next two years, the project aims to grow its online survivor community to 50,000 people and positively impact 5,000 survivors through its initiatives. The project will also work on changing public attitudes and policy around sexual violence in Ireland by sharing stories of hope and resilience.

Last Updated: August 2024

SEI Journey

Ideas academy 2024

Clare Egan is the founder of Beyond Survival