The Kavanagh Sisters Podcast

March 15th, 2022

Welcome back everyone to our first podcast in almost 2 years.  As life is returning to some semblance of normality, we felt it was time to ease back into our work. The reason we stood back from social media for so long was purely about self-preservation.  We all realised quickly into the pandemic, that we were each feeling triggered by all the restrictions that were in place and so, to protect ourselves and our men...

Trigger Warning' if you or someone you know has been affected by sexual abuse please remember the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre 24-hour Helpline is open 1800 77 8888

 In this week’s podcast (episode 39) we will once again be joined by Leona O’Callaghan, founder of Haven Hub and Sophia Murphy both survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

We will talk about our reactions to the four-part Netflix docu-series - Jeffery Epstein: Filthy Rich and...

Trigger Warning' if you or someone you know has been affected by sexual abuse please remember the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre 24-hour Helpline is open 1800 77 8888

In today’s podcast (episode 38) we are joined by Sophia Murphy, a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and Leona O Callaghan, founder of Haven Hub and also a survivor of childhood sexual abuse.

Our conversations centre around how we each found that Covid19 restrictions trigg...

Trigger Warning' if you or someone you know has been affected by sexual abuse please remember the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre 24-hour Helpline is open 1800 77 8888

In todays’ podcast we talk to Maggie Oliver who is best known as the former Detective Constable in the Greater Manchester Police (GMP) who was the lead investigator and whistleblower in the Rochdale Sexual Abuse Scandal.

While in the GMP, Maggie worked on two major chil...

Trigger Warning' if you or someone you know has been affected by sexual abuse please remember the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre 24-hour Helpline is open 1800 77 8888

In today’s podcast (episode 36) we will be talking to Dr Joanne Nelson a Consultant Paediatrician in University Hospital Galway, a medical forensic examiner in child sexual assault cases and the Clinical Director of the Child and Adolescent Sexual Assault Treatment Service...

In the past few weeks, I realised that the coping mechanisms I used as a child to survive my abuse were being triggered in response to the corona virus and the lockdown restrictions. Growing up I really struggled with anxiety that often manifested in anger. I hated not having any control over my life, and today, I find myself right back were it all began. The more the government continues to increase the restrictions that curtail m...

Trigger Warning' if you or someone you know has been affected by sexual abuse please remember the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre 24-hour Helpline is open 1800 77 8888

In today’s podcast we will be talking to J.P.O’Sullivan, Network & Communications Manager and Ann Mara, Education Manager for MECPATHS.

MECPATHS (Mercy Efforts for Child Protection Against Trafficking with the Hospitality Sector) is a social justice project that was establ...

In this meditation you will go on a journey to meet a wise man that imparts some of his life lessons.

Meditation can be described as a way of focusing your mind on a thought, mantra, or activity and is often used to achieve a mentally clear and emotionally clam states. For us meditation is a way to relax and can be a powerful tool to connect you with your inner peace.

We know that not everyone likes to meditate, and some find it ex...

Trigger Warning' if you or someone you know has been affected by sexual abuse please remember the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre 24-hour Helpline is open 1800 77 8888

In today’s podcast (episode 34) we will be talking to Barbara Scanlon (Spokesperson) and Anna Kavanagh (Activist) of Alliance of Birth Mothers Campaigning for Justice.  ABC was established in June 2019 by birth mothers who have difficulties in their engagement with The Chi...

Trigger Warning' if you or someone you know has been affected by sexual abuse please remember the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre 24-hour Helpline is open 1800 77 8888

In today’s podcast (episode 33) we will be talking to Lisa Cuthbert, CEO of Prisoner Aid Through Community Effort (PACE).

Lisa has an extensive background in the criminal justice and social care field. As CEO of PACE since 1999, she has overseen the growth and development ...

Trigger Warning' if you or someone you know has been affected by sexual abuse please remember the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre 24-hour Helpline is open 1800 77 8888

In today’s podcast (episode 32) we will be talking to Noeline Blackwell, CEO of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC).

In 2012 Noleen was reported as being one of Irelands Ten Most Influential Women for her relentless defence of those with no legal resources. Noeline took u...

Trigger Warning' if you or someone you know has been affected by sexual abuse please remember the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre 24-hour Helpline is open 1800 77 8888

In today’s podcast (episode 31) we will be talking to Sophia Murphy, a survivor of childhood sexual abuse.

In July 2018 Sophia’s father, John Murphy, a 61-year-old former member of the Irish Defence Forces received a sentence of 18 years in prison.  Her father plead guilty...

Dr Marie Keenan – Associate Professor

Lecturer at the School of Social Policy, Social Work & Social Justice,

University of College Dublin

Trigger Warning' if you or someone you know has been affected by sexual abuse please remember the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre 24-hour Helpline is open 1800 77 8888

In today’s podcast (episode 30) we will be ta...

I have no power I have no say

You can do what you want I can’t run away What are you’re doing? I don’t understand. I thought we were playing Was this part of a plan?

Do all daddies do this? Am I really that bad? Can’t you see I don’t want this? Don’t you care that I’m sad?

You mustn’t know what you are doing You’re making a mistake. This couldn’t be on purpose You wouldn’t make me shake.

Everything is different now Forever and a da...

Looking back now I can hardly believe It wasn’t just others But me I deceived

I had to go back to find me and save me and rescue me from all the pain that he gave me

Although it was hard and it took a long time The journey was worth it to find what was mine

Sometimes I can’t believe it when I see how far I’ve come No more am I a victim No longer on the run

I’ve found some inner peace now I’ve healed a lot of pain I’m still a work...

Shame took away my Voice Shame took away my Choice Shame dictated the life I Lived Shame would not let me Forgive   Shame prevented me from standing strong and saying what was done was wrong The shame was never really mine it belonged to the one who committed the crime   Shame doesn’t have a place in my life any longer and without it I know, I am so much stronger Now I can see all the harm shame was doing without it, I am loving th...

I've hated my body for the longest time

because it is what he used

Why did my dad take what was mine?

Leaving me sore and confused

I thought my body had let me down

 I blamed it for my pain

 The way I looked filled me with disgust

 I couldn’t bear the shame!

Sex and sexuality

brought out in me such fear

even if I liked someone

I couldn’t let them near

Weight was always an issue

I think it’s’ because he was fat

 I later used...

When an abuser is named

what we don’t realise is all the other people who now get victimised.

Its only human nature Whenever we’re in pain To look outside ourselves For someone else to blame

Although without intention this causes untold pain Countless innocent families are left with guilt and shame

Guilt by association is how some families feel mothers in particular get the raw end of the deal

It’s assumed they let it happen ...

In this meditation you will receive an answer from your guides to a question that has been on your mind for some time.

Meditation can be described as a way of focusing your mind on a thought, mantra, or activity and is often used to achieve a mentally clear and emotionally clam states. For us meditation is a way to relax and can be a powerful tool to connect you with your inner peace.

We know that not everyone likes to meditate, ...