A man from Wimbledon is urging victims and survivors of child sexual abuse to tell their stories to an inquiry in October.

Peter Saunders says he was sexually abused as a child. He sits on a panel for the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse and has also set up his own support organisation, National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC), from which he has recently stepped down as chief executive.

The independent inquiry is examining the extent to which institutions and organisations have failed to protect children in England and Wales from sexual abuse.

As part of the Truth Project, people who experienced sexual abuse will have the opportunity to tell a representative of the inquiry anything they want to. Information gathered in the project sessions will be anonymous, but feed into recommendations to government about how institutions can better protect children in the future.

Anyone interested in taking part can fill out the form at https://www.iicsa.org.uk/share-your-experience/submit-information-online and will be able to share their experiences from October. Participants can give as much or as little information as they feel comfortable with, and are welcome to suggest measures that could help future policy.

Mr Saunders, who grew up in Wimbledon, said: "There are victims and survivors of child sexual in all walks of life. I would like to encourage anyone from London’s many different communities who has been abused as a child to share your experiences with the Truth Project.

“Being able to share this painful burden of memories with someone who will listen can help victims and survivors enormously as a part of their journey of healing.”

Chris Tuck, also a member of the Victim and Survivors' Consultative Panel, said she went through the Truth Project with her sister, Diane.

“This is a huge step for victims and survivors, as many of them may feel they have been let down before,” she said. “For us, it was something that my sister and I felt we needed to do - this Inquiry needs to hear from victims and survivors in order to make robust recommendations that I hope will protect children in the future.

“I would say to any victims and survivors that you will be listened to, you will be in control and you can chose what to share during this process. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for survivors to share their truth with this Inquiry.”

Michael May, the head of London and the south east Inquiry offices, said: “This is an opportunity for victims and survivors of child sexual abuse to be heard, recognised and respected. Our aim is to listen to victims and survivors, understand their experiences and learn from them so that we can try to prevent the same abuse from happening again.

“I understand that this won’t be an easy decision, but I would like to reassure anyone who is considering participating in the Truth Project that we will support you through this process and we will listen to what you have to say.”

There is more information about the Truth Project available at the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse's website: https://www.iicsa.org.uk/truthproject or via the information line: 0800 917 1000. The information line is open weekdays 8am-8pm and Saturdays 10am-12pm.