Dr Claire Cunnington
@drcisme.bsky.social
By day a researcher fighting for a better life for the traumatised, by night asleep. Currently writing about a Victorian VIP #CSE scandal. Co-convenor of the BSA Global Histories and Sociology Study Group. she/her
Pinned
Dr Claire Cunnington
@drcisme.bsky.social
· Apr 17
The Victorian sex abuse scandal that shocked Britain and changed the law – long before Epstein
MPs were forced to respond, passing legislation which raised the age at which girls could consent to sexual intercourse from 13 to 16.
doi.org
@carolinederry.bsky.social and I have written about our research for @theconversation.com
doi.org/10.64628/AB....
doi.org/10.64628/AB....
Instead of the usual homework help, guinea pig cleaning out and uniform washing I spent last Saturday at the @societyofauthors.bsky.social northern conference. I can't even express how wonderful it felt to be connecting with other creative people. I will be going to more events.
September 21, 2026 at 11:42 AM
Instead of the usual homework help, guinea pig cleaning out and uniform washing I spent last Saturday at the @societyofauthors.bsky.social northern conference. I can't even express how wonderful it felt to be connecting with other creative people. I will be going to more events.
Bonnes nouvelles! Our article @carolinederry.bsky.social about a Victorian child sexual exploitation scandal (think Epstein in 1885) has been published in French! The more people who read about it the better. theconversation.com/avant-epstei...
Avant Epstein, le scandale sexuel qui a forcé la Grande-Bretagne à changer sa loi
En 1885, des journalistes et des militantes dénoncent un réseau impliquant de riches notables dans l'exploitation sexuelle de jeunes filles. Leur enquête fait évoluer la législation britannique, mais ...
theconversation.com
July 10, 2026 at 10:49 AM
Bonnes nouvelles! Our article @carolinederry.bsky.social about a Victorian child sexual exploitation scandal (think Epstein in 1885) has been published in French! The more people who read about it the better. theconversation.com/avant-epstei...
Reposted by Dr Claire Cunnington
Our esteemed advisory board member @hazelklarkin.bsky.social is hosting a women only writing retreat in Portugal in November @ailise-bulfin.bsky.social @drcisme.bsky.social @theflyingchild.bsky.social @fatimabadouri.bsky.social @ucddublin.bsky.social
writingretreatdirectory.com/find-a-retre...
writingretreatdirectory.com/find-a-retre...
The Quiet Return
The Quiet Return Writing Retreat A week-long writing retreat in Olhão this November A writing retreat for 10 women who are ready to transform their traumatic lived experiences into words; safely and.....
writingretreatdirectory.com
June 17, 2026 at 10:20 AM
Our esteemed advisory board member @hazelklarkin.bsky.social is hosting a women only writing retreat in Portugal in November @ailise-bulfin.bsky.social @drcisme.bsky.social @theflyingchild.bsky.social @fatimabadouri.bsky.social @ucddublin.bsky.social
writingretreatdirectory.com/find-a-retre...
writingretreatdirectory.com/find-a-retre...
Reposted by Dr Claire Cunnington
csa-in-fiction.com/2026/06/02/s... @hazelklarkin.bsky.social @ailise-bulfin.bsky.social @drcisme.bsky.social @theflyingchild.bsky.social @unibas.ch @ucdresearch.bsky.social @ucddublin.bsky.social @johndbnldn.bsky.social
Shaping the Future of Literary Engagement: Shared Reading Workshop at the University of Basel - CSAReps – Investigating Fictional Representations of Child Sexual Abuse in Contemporary Culture: Myths a...
On May 21st and 22nd, 2025, the University of Basel in Switzerland hosted the “Shared Reading Workshop” – a striking event for […]
csa-in-fiction.com
June 3, 2026 at 12:26 PM
I have often wondered why on earth anyone would abuse a child. Their answers are as infuriating as I thought they would be. theconversation.com/worlds-large...
World’s largest study of child sexual abuse perpetrators reveals why they abuse
A study of almost 700 perpetrators from across the world sheds light on why some men sexually abuse children.
theconversation.com
June 3, 2026 at 11:38 AM
I have often wondered why on earth anyone would abuse a child. Their answers are as infuriating as I thought they would be. theconversation.com/worlds-large...
Really helpful findings from the @csarepsprojectucd.bsky.social
Below are the key findings of our studies so far
csa-in-fiction.com www.linkedin.com/company/1125...
@ailise-bulfin.bsky.social @hazelklarkin.bsky.social @drcisme.bsky.social @theflyingchild.bsky.social @johndbnldn.bsky.social
csa-in-fiction.com www.linkedin.com/company/1125...
@ailise-bulfin.bsky.social @hazelklarkin.bsky.social @drcisme.bsky.social @theflyingchild.bsky.social @johndbnldn.bsky.social
May 27, 2026 at 8:50 AM
Really helpful findings from the @csarepsprojectucd.bsky.social
Out of the Shadows Report
3 girls and 2 boys experience sexual violence every second. What horrific statistics! How are different countries doing in eradicating child sexual abuse? This report from Together for Girls measures governance, accountability, prevention, healing, and justice. Not…
3 girls and 2 boys experience sexual violence every second. What horrific statistics! How are different countries doing in eradicating child sexual abuse? This report from Together for Girls measures governance, accountability, prevention, healing, and justice. Not…
Out of the Shadows Report
3 girls and 2 boys experience sexual violence every second. What horrific statistics! How are different countries doing in eradicating child sexual abuse? This report from Together for Girls measures governance, accountability, prevention, healing, and justice. Not surprised that Australia is marked slightly higher than the UK but interesting that no country scores over 83%. There's a long way to go.
clairecunnington.com
May 20, 2026 at 1:59 PM
Out of the Shadows Report
3 girls and 2 boys experience sexual violence every second. What horrific statistics! How are different countries doing in eradicating child sexual abuse? This report from Together for Girls measures governance, accountability, prevention, healing, and justice. Not…
3 girls and 2 boys experience sexual violence every second. What horrific statistics! How are different countries doing in eradicating child sexual abuse? This report from Together for Girls measures governance, accountability, prevention, healing, and justice. Not…
Reposted by Dr Claire Cunnington
@carolinederry.bsky.social and I have written about our research for @theconversation.com
doi.org/10.64628/AB....
doi.org/10.64628/AB....
The Victorian sex abuse scandal that shocked Britain and changed the law – long before Epstein
MPs were forced to respond, passing legislation which raised the age at which girls could consent to sexual intercourse from 13 to 16.
doi.org
April 17, 2026 at 12:10 PM
@carolinederry.bsky.social and I have written about our research for @theconversation.com
doi.org/10.64628/AB....
doi.org/10.64628/AB....
Reposted by Dr Claire Cunnington
The new piece by me and @drcisme.bsky.social in @theconversation.com isn't a cheerful topic for weekend reading - but it is an important one.
The Victorian sex abuse scandal that shocked Britain and changed the law – long before Epstein
MPs were forced to respond, passing legislation which raised the age at which girls could consent to sexual intercourse from 13 to 16.
theconversation.com
April 17, 2026 at 12:36 PM
The new piece by me and @drcisme.bsky.social in @theconversation.com isn't a cheerful topic for weekend reading - but it is an important one.
@carolinederry.bsky.social and I have written about our research for @theconversation.com
doi.org/10.64628/AB....
doi.org/10.64628/AB....
The Victorian sex abuse scandal that shocked Britain and changed the law – long before Epstein
MPs were forced to respond, passing legislation which raised the age at which girls could consent to sexual intercourse from 13 to 16.
doi.org
April 17, 2026 at 12:10 PM
@carolinederry.bsky.social and I have written about our research for @theconversation.com
doi.org/10.64628/AB....
doi.org/10.64628/AB....
As part of the Women’s Library at 100 exhibition @carolinederry.bsky.social and I were asked to curate a part of the exhibition about Josephine Butler as they have an archive of her papers there. For a little more about Josephine my blog is here: clairecunnington.com/2026/04/08/w...
Women’s Library at 100
by George Frederic Watts, oil on canvas, 1895, NPG 2194© National Portrait Gallery, London As part of the Women’s Library at 100 exhibition Professor Caroline Derry and I were asked to curate…
clairecunnington.com
April 8, 2026 at 3:02 PM
As part of the Women’s Library at 100 exhibition @carolinederry.bsky.social and I were asked to curate a part of the exhibition about Josephine Butler as they have an archive of her papers there. For a little more about Josephine my blog is here: clairecunnington.com/2026/04/08/w...
The Flying Child are a cause very close to my heart. They deliver a CSA survivor and practitioner training programme to education, social care and healthcare. It's a survivor led organisation and they are struggling for funding. Do help if you can.
www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding...
www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding...
Help raise £500 to donate to The Flying Child – JustGiving Crowdfunding
Iʼm raising money to donate to The Flying Child . Support this JustGiving Crowdfunding Page.
www.justgiving.com
April 2, 2026 at 10:15 AM
The Flying Child are a cause very close to my heart. They deliver a CSA survivor and practitioner training programme to education, social care and healthcare. It's a survivor led organisation and they are struggling for funding. Do help if you can.
www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding...
www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding...
New resources for adult survivors
The CSA Centre has created this page with resources for adult survivors of CSA. It looks great!
The CSA Centre has created this page with resources for adult survivors of CSA. It looks great!
New resources for adult survivors
The CSA Centre has created this page with resources for adult survivors of CSA. It looks great!
clairecunnington.com
March 27, 2026 at 9:44 AM
New resources for adult survivors
The CSA Centre has created this page with resources for adult survivors of CSA. It looks great!
The CSA Centre has created this page with resources for adult survivors of CSA. It looks great!
Imagine the lack of any sense of morality that would lead you to conclude enabling harm to children (sexual exploitation, poor mental health etc) are an 'inevitable' part of running your multi-million pound business. Bet they don't mean their kids. www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Meta ordered to pay $375m after being found liable in child exploitation case
New Mexico hails ‘historic’ win after jury finds firm misled consumers over safety and enabled harm against users
www.theguardian.com
March 25, 2026 at 11:31 AM
Imagine the lack of any sense of morality that would lead you to conclude enabling harm to children (sexual exploitation, poor mental health etc) are an 'inevitable' part of running your multi-million pound business. Bet they don't mean their kids. www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
How are they now 14? Best kids ever.
**Warning - child related post**
This time 14 years ago @drcisme.bsky.social were prepping for delivery of our 11 wk premature triplets so we were very excited and worried all at the same time. There was a few worrying moments but thanks to the legion of Drs & Nurses came through. Happy birthday
This time 14 years ago @drcisme.bsky.social were prepping for delivery of our 11 wk premature triplets so we were very excited and worried all at the same time. There was a few worrying moments but thanks to the legion of Drs & Nurses came through. Happy birthday
March 23, 2026 at 7:55 PM
How are they now 14? Best kids ever.
Guess which one I've repainted.
March 22, 2026 at 11:06 AM
Guess which one I've repainted.
Reposted by Dr Claire Cunnington
A lovely evening at @lselibrary.bsky.social celebrating their Women's Library at 100 exhibition - including the section @drcisme.bsky.social and I curated.
March 12, 2026 at 8:21 PM
A lovely evening at @lselibrary.bsky.social celebrating their Women's Library at 100 exhibition - including the section @drcisme.bsky.social and I curated.
Guess how many people stayed overnight in one of these lodging houses on Flower and Dean Street London in 1881.
March 5, 2026 at 1:27 PM
Guess how many people stayed overnight in one of these lodging houses on Flower and Dean Street London in 1881.
Ooh do go to this exhibition if you are in London.
Thank you @drcisme.bsky.social and @carolinederry.bsky.social for telling the story around the scandal which brought about the Criminal Law Amendment Act 1885. A story which resonates today.
March 4, 2026 at 3:36 PM
Ooh do go to this exhibition if you are in London.
Reposted by Dr Claire Cunnington
Overview and 1st findings on how general audiences engage with fiction which depicts CSA'
To register and receive the link for the webinar, please email [email protected] @hazelklarkin.bsky.social @ailise-bulfin.bsky.social @drcisme.bsky.social @johndbnldn.bsky.social @theflyingchild.bsky.social
To register and receive the link for the webinar, please email [email protected] @hazelklarkin.bsky.social @ailise-bulfin.bsky.social @drcisme.bsky.social @johndbnldn.bsky.social @theflyingchild.bsky.social
March 3, 2026 at 3:51 PM
Overview and 1st findings on how general audiences engage with fiction which depicts CSA'
To register and receive the link for the webinar, please email [email protected] @hazelklarkin.bsky.social @ailise-bulfin.bsky.social @drcisme.bsky.social @johndbnldn.bsky.social @theflyingchild.bsky.social
To register and receive the link for the webinar, please email [email protected] @hazelklarkin.bsky.social @ailise-bulfin.bsky.social @drcisme.bsky.social @johndbnldn.bsky.social @theflyingchild.bsky.social
Every day I read new revelations about Epstein's connections. I am exhausted. Those of us who know about the terrible things some men and women do, know all of this. What I want to see are some consequences for their selfish choices. We live the consequences every day. When will they face any?
February 5, 2026 at 10:43 AM
Every day I read new revelations about Epstein's connections. I am exhausted. Those of us who know about the terrible things some men and women do, know all of this. What I want to see are some consequences for their selfish choices. We live the consequences every day. When will they face any?
Reposted by Dr Claire Cunnington
How to piss off all sexual offenders.
#BelieveVictims
#BelieveVictims
February 4, 2026 at 11:31 AM
How to piss off all sexual offenders.
#BelieveVictims
#BelieveVictims
Reposted by Dr Claire Cunnington
CSAReps latest podcast with
Dr Susan Leahy @unioflimerick.bsky.social
interviewed by Aleksandra Milenović is now available on our website csa-in-fiction.com/podcasts/
@ailise-bulfin.bsky.social @hazelklarkin.bsky.social
@johndbnldn.bsky.social,
@drcisme.bsky.social,
@theflyingchild.bsky.social
Dr Susan Leahy @unioflimerick.bsky.social
interviewed by Aleksandra Milenović is now available on our website csa-in-fiction.com/podcasts/
@ailise-bulfin.bsky.social @hazelklarkin.bsky.social
@johndbnldn.bsky.social,
@drcisme.bsky.social,
@theflyingchild.bsky.social
January 20, 2026 at 11:05 AM
CSAReps latest podcast with
Dr Susan Leahy @unioflimerick.bsky.social
interviewed by Aleksandra Milenović is now available on our website csa-in-fiction.com/podcasts/
@ailise-bulfin.bsky.social @hazelklarkin.bsky.social
@johndbnldn.bsky.social,
@drcisme.bsky.social,
@theflyingchild.bsky.social
Dr Susan Leahy @unioflimerick.bsky.social
interviewed by Aleksandra Milenović is now available on our website csa-in-fiction.com/podcasts/
@ailise-bulfin.bsky.social @hazelklarkin.bsky.social
@johndbnldn.bsky.social,
@drcisme.bsky.social,
@theflyingchild.bsky.social
Reposted by Dr Claire Cunnington
Looking forward to this event @theflyingchild.bsky.social @ailise-bulfin.bsky.social @hazelklarkin.bsky.social @johndbnldn.bsky.social @drcisme.bsky.social
www.theflyingchild.com/events-list
www.theflyingchild.com/events-list
Events | The Flying Child
Join The Flying Child Events to hear the voices of those with lived experience and their professional allies. Challenging stigma and embracing the mantra “Society’s shame, not mine,” these events crea...
www.theflyingchild.com
January 21, 2026 at 12:55 PM