For Females Aged 18+ CSA Survivors

CIS’ters was set up in September 1995 as a self help group for biological females age 18+ who, as female children, were sexually abused/raped by a member of their immediate/extended family. 

Our aim is to help survivors, who have experienced such abuse as best we can.  The following section outlines the services currently offered by CIS’ters: 

Information and Signposting

As a survivor led small charity we continue to receive emails from survivors who live all over England and Wales, occasionally, further away.  We respond to these emails sensitively and assist in the search to find local specialist support for them, based on their geographical location.

Professionals should note that CIS’ters only accepts self referrals, as this is an indication to us of an individual's willingness to engage with a survivor-led service.

Membership of CIS'ters – Our focus is to help empower biological females (aged 18+), that were raped/sexually abused/exploited (as female children/teenagers) by a member of their immediate/extended family.  Survivors within this category, until October 2025, were offered (in addition to information/signposting), the opportunity to become 'Members' (we prefer this term to that of 'Service User.)

Whilst we continue to offer emotional support (via email) to our existing Members (approximately 500 individuals in England/Wales), due to current financial pressures, we are no longer able to offer Membership to new contacts at this time.

We consider that Feedback from our Members is Important - CIS'ters is survivor led, in that at least 50% of our Trust Board are individuals with 'lived experience' (and currently, Members of CIS'ters), with a casting vote.  Feedback is actively sought from within our Membership and has led to improvements and the inclusion of specific topics, eg., at our Annual (Member Only) Residential Weekend Workshop etc.