Team White

A team of white Teddies toured to Sunshine Coast RDA today to help celebrate White Balloon Day. The Teddies were there to raise awareness and promote discussion, as well as speak up on behalf of the survivors who broke their silence by submitting a tag.

The Teddies were a great talking point and did their job brilliantly! They not only helped to raise awareness, they helped to raise funds too... $133.05 was raised today that will go to Bravehearts to help them continue educating, empowering and protecting our children.


Thank you Teddies, job well done!

Teddies Prepare for White Balloon Day

The Teddy Tour is supporting Bravehearts' White Balloon Day this year!
Hosted at Sunshine Coast RDA, a team of White Teddies are on tour to help raise awareness and spread the message of zero tolerance throughout the community.

Thanks Bravehearts, for the fantastic work you do keeping our kids safe from sexual assault, and thank you Teddies, for telling the world, "It's all white to say not to childhood sexual assault!"

Comedy

Teddy's name: Comedy

Age when sexually assaulted: 16

Who assaulted Teddy: Older Friend (male)

Town or State where the assault happened: State Park North/South Carolina

Teddy's message to the world:

I was whimpering, I didn't want to do it I didn't want this to happen.... but you twisted my mind, your breath scalded my flesh.... I remember it was cold and then you were so hot... burnt me to a crisp and threw me away like something dirty and spoiled.

Heather

Teddy's name: Heather

Age when sexually assaulted: approx 4 - 10 years old

Who assaulted Teddy: Grandpa

Town or State where the assault happened: Victoria

Teddy's message to the world:

I remembered what you did to me when I was 25 years old, I told my mum, I even forgave you 7 years ago and an enormous weight lifted from my shoulders, but I forgive you no more, I am now again going through this painful experience this time with all my memories and more, I have disclosed what you did to me to the whole family now, I have knocked you off your high and mighty pedastool, I have taken away all respect that people had for you. This is your punishment as unfortunely you were lucky that you were dead when my memories started to come. I always thought it was my childhood you just affected, but I now know it has affected so much of my adult life to, I am strong and I will become a better person because of this pain I have lived through.

Grace

Teddy's name: Grace

Age when sexually assaulted: 5-20

Who assaulted Teddy: Friend, Uncle, Brother's Friend

Town or State where the assault happened: NSW

Teddy's message to the world:

I've spent a lot of time in silence but now I'm starting to find my voice. Please join me, even whispers count!

Elpis

Teddy's name: Elpis

Age when sexually assaulted: 14

Who assaulted Teddy: A boy named David

Town or State where the assault happened: Kirkwood, Missouri

Teddy's message to the world:

A lad from my school tried to rape me when I was a girl. My life was completely and utterly destroyed. He took everything from me and I thought I would never get it back. I have been living the life of the dead. My nights are filled with terror, and my days with misery. But sometimes I catch a glimpse of the future. Sometimes I see what I can become and it is beautiful. I see myself rising so far above him, moving beyond my pain, moving through the sorrow. I am strong, I can do this. I will never forget what happened and I will never get over it, but I will get through it. I will move beyond. I am amazing. Elpis means hope, and some days hope is all I have but, hope will always win out. I am more than a survivor, I am the winner.

Bea

Teddy's name: Bea

Age when sexually assaulted: 15-18

Who assaulted Teddy: Bec (an adult who attended my high school)

Town or State where the assault happened: Melbourne

Teddy's message to the world:

I trusted you, Bec, and through your actions you taught me not to trust. You taught me shame and anger, just as I should have begun to learn how to be a strong, joyful woman. My molestation has profoundly hurt me, my parents, my sister, my friends, and my partner. Society facilitated your crime – as a young woman you did not fit the publicised stereotype of a child abuser. You have gotten away with it thus far, but I am building my strength, and one day I will be ready to denounce you to your face.

Mr. Sunshine

Teddy's name: Mr. Sunshine

Age when sexually assaulted: Under 5, 13-15

Who assaulted Teddy: Unknown, boyfriend, online acquaintance, several fellow patients at a mental hospital

Town or State where the assault happened: Colorado, Montana

Teddy's message to the world:

For years, the silence has lain thick upon me. Whenever I tried to speak, others have chosen not to hear. Blaming me for what happened and minimizing what happened not only helped the abusers continue, but has created wounds almost as bad as those caused by the abuse itself. Yet I've continued to speak out and to seek help. Now ears are finally beginning to open. At 23, I'm finally getting the help that I need to heal.

Titch

Teddy's name: Titch

Age when sexually assaulted: 9

Who assaulted Teddy: neighbour

Town or State where the assault happened: UK

Teddy's message to the world:

Do not hang your head in shame, it is NEVER your fault. If i had the courage to speak out i could have prevented the many more times he abused other children - he is now in prison. Time has healed and i am now strong, i am proud of who i have become, i now work with other survivors. My work is helping others heal too.

Phoenix

Teddy's name: Phoenix

Age when sexually assaulted: toddler,13,15,16

Who assaulted Teddy: father,uncle,friend

Town or State where the assault happened: tasmania, melbourne

Teddy's message to the world:

Teddy felt guilty for many years and felt worthless,because of a low self esteem Teddy fell into a very deep hole. Was not till Teddy married ,Teddy started to realy know what love meant. Love does not hurt or betray a trust. Teddy soon had children became over protective because of what had happened in past. Teddy had never let go of the past. today it still hurts .but that hurt has lead Teddy to now go into child protection. If Teddy can help even one child not suffer what she did then Teddy will be happy. NEVER BE SILENT TELL and keep telling only stop telling when the abuse stops. Some one will hear,always remember you are not at fault you did nothing wrong nothing to feel guilty about. Just tell,shout louder till you are heard and never be frighten. We survivers are special very special we can help others

HOPE

Teddy's name: HOPE

Age when sexually assaulted: 8-9 years old, 14, and 17

Who assaulted Teddy: Supposed to be a friend of the family!

Town or State where the assault happened: Tennessee

Teddy's message to the world:
I have struggled with demons my entire life because you made me believe I was a bad child and not worth anyone's love. I blamed myself and wondered what I did to make you punish me they way you did. Well I am here yo say NO MORE. Today I have decided to take back what you tried so hard to steal from me. I will not feel like a victim and suffer anymore due to your horrible decisions and actions. It was not my fault!! I am going to overcome this that you forced into my life. I will take my life back and become a survivor instead of the victim you so desperately wanted me to be!

Naphtali

Teddy's name: Naphtali

Age when sexually assaulted: 12, 14, 16, 17

Who assaulted Teddy: Family friend, cousin, boyfriend

Town or State where the assault happened: Honolulu

Teddy's message to the world:

Naphtali means "my wrestling," and every day I have to struggle with the bits of myself that are still broken from what happened. But while parts of me are weak, I am strong - stronger than those who had to hurt me in order to feel good about themselves. I'm not a scared little girl anymore, and with every day I find new strength in myself to continue the fight, it gets easier. There is life, and hope, and even love to be had after abuse. To all those reading this with a silent teddy still hidden in their hearts, don't give up. It doesn't always feel that way, but every day that you are still wrestling is a day where you win.

Behind on Tags

The Teddy Tour is about a month behind on Tags at the moment. Thanks to two big boxes full of Teddies that have just arrived, we should be able to catch up over the next few days. If you have submitted a tag in the last four weeks and have not seen it on the site yet - you have not been forgotten!

We're really sorry for such a big delay and are hoping to have everything running more smoothly in the future.

Shame

Teddy's name: Shame

Age when sexually assaulted: 6,13-15,16

Who assaulted Teddy: Many people, some family and some others

Town or State where the assault happened: Maryland

Teddy's message to the world:

I'm fighting to not feel so ashamed anymore. I have felt like I was to blame for so long.

Gypsy

Teddy's name: Gypsy

Age when sexually assaulted: ?-11, 12-14, 14-15

Who assaulted Teddy: Religious leaders, children's home staff, foster parents

Town or State where the assault happened: England

Teddy's message to the world:

No matter how many times it happens, no matter how many people hurt you, it will never be your fault.