The CSA Survivors – Science and Friendship Association has been officially launched at a historic and emotional event held this morning in the auditorium of the College of Journalists of Catalonia in Barcelona. This pioneering global network unites victims, survivors and people of science in the fight against child sexual abuse. The president of the Association, Cristina Pulido, shared her painful personal experience of sexual abuse as a child, revealing the deep scars of an experience that, decades later, still impacts her life and the lives of those who support her, mainly because the perpetrator continues to attack. In her speech, Pulido stressed the essential role of science in eradicating abuse and promoting solidarity networks that allow for both healing and prevention.
Pulido, who also heads the Feminist Journal and conducts leading scientific research, emphasised the urgency of tackling abuse with a preventive and committed approach. In her speech, she highlighted the international guidelines for media treatment of abuse cases, stressing the importance of ethical and responsible coverage to avoid re-victimisation and raise social awareness.
The event began at 10:30 a.m. with a performance of the #MeToo University anthem by soprano Garazi López de Aguileta and clarinetist Ane López de Aguileta, both graduates of the conservatory, setting a tone of respect and solidarity. Rosa Codina, Deputy Director of the Department of Equality and Feminism of the Generalitat de Catalonia, highlighted the work of the Department in the eradication of gender violence and offered her institutional support. Alicia Oliver, from the European Network of Women Journalists, spoke about the need for an effective alliance between journalism and victims in order to make gender violence in all its forms visible and eradicate it.
Ana Burgués, director of the newspaper Daily27 and moderator of the event, led a question and answer session that allowed attendees and journalists to delve into the challenges and objectives of this new network. The session concluded with an open invitation to join the cause and a reminder of the importance of initiatives such as CSA Survivors – Science and Friendship, especially in the context of the approaching International Day for the Prevention of Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse on 18 November.
The event, open to the public but with limited seating, brought together citizens, journalists and professionals eager to support a cause that, in Pulido’s words, represents ‘the basis for a future where the welfare and protection of children and adolescents are an unquestionable priority’.
