Hearing the Views of people born from rape

13 Jun

What is the survey about?

NowVisible has launched a short, anonymous survey to hear directly from people born from rape (PBR). It’s a first step to begin understanding the experiences, needs, and challenges faced by PBR, because right now, very little exists, especially in the UK. The survey will offer early insights to help inform our work and to guide a future, more in-depth research study as we gain funding.

It’s part of our wider commitment to better understand the experiences of PBR and to hear about the support, recognition, and changes that are needed across services, systems, and society.

Why are we doing this now?

For too long, PBR have remained a hidden and unheard community. With the introduction of Daisy’s Law that is beginning to change because the law now recognises PBR as victims - as ‘individuals born from criminal conduct’- and offers them the legal right to seek justice and access appropriate support services.

But laws alone cannot create understanding or change personal experiences. There are still serious gaps in our knowledge about how being born from rape affects a person emotionally, socially, and economically. Early evidence suggests PBR may face long-term mental health struggles, fractured family relationships, stigma, and exclusion from support services. Yet there is no known UK-based research that centres their voices. If we’re serious about changing policies in health, social care and criminal justice then our starting point is to listen.

Who is the survey for?

Our short online survey is for anyone who knows or believes they were born from rape and would like to share a little about what they have experienced. It’s entirely voluntary, anonymous, and designed to be sensitive and respectful. If you have been born as a result of rape and you want to take part, then you can choose how much or how little you want to say.

How will the findings be used?

Findings from the survey will directly inform NowVisible’s work, helping us to advocate for effective support, design training for professionals and to contribute meaningfully to policy discussions, including with the Ministry of Justice as Daisy’s Law is rolled out. Our aim is to paint a clearer picture of what PBR need, where the current gaps are, and how collectively, we can improve our responses.