16 Days of Activism: A word from a brave survivor

She is determined to use the public platform that Miss World is providing to bring solace to women, men and children who are survivors of sexual abuse.

Sasha-Lee Olivier from Brackendowns, Alberton is not only Miss SA 2019 runner-up, but she will also represent South Africa at the Miss World pageant on December 14 in London.

She recently announced that part of her Miss World Beauty with a Purpose campaign will be #ItsNotYourFault to make victims aware that there is help out there and that abuse should be reported.

She told the GCN that she is grateful that they now have a network and an opportunity to give comfort to survivors on a larger scale.

Part of her outreach project are the comfort packs which accompany her #ItsNotYourFault campaign.

Since she publicly announced that she was a victim of abuse, a number of people, both men and women, have reached out to her.

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“I am so honoured to have them confide in me as I know just how hard it is to open up, especially to a stranger.

“I hope that my story is a beacon of hope to all,” she said

“Survival kicked in during my later adult years.

“I had to make a daily decision for this to not take anymore from me than it already had.

“My message to those trapped as victims is healing is something you have to commit to every day, be kind to yourself in this time.

“You will survive this, never underestimate your resilience.

“The power of your dream will get you through this.”