A Spotlight on the Guiding Light, by Alison Ralston
Back In 2018, after leaving the corporate world for good, I felt compelled to re-evaluate my life and focus my energy on giving something back to the world. My son Charlie and I travelled to Singapore and met a number of charities from around the world that needed urgent assistance. I met Binita, a child psychologist whose entire life has been focussed on addressing the issue of child sex abuse and deals with the most serious cases of rape in Nepal, with some victims being as young as 2 years of age. Her aim is to empower people to prevent sexual abuse and support the survivors through the healing process.
In Nepal, patriarchal family structures are prevalent, with many women lacking information about their human rights. In particular, there is a lack of sex education in school and discussion of sexuality is a social taboo. As a result, many children are uninformed about what constitutes harmful sexual behaviour, what their basic human and legal rights are and where to get support. Consequently, this lack of sex education brings about an increased likelihood of rape. There is stigma in reporting sexual violence, as often blame is placed with the survivors of sexual violence. The survivors are therefore isolated, in unsafe circumstances with a lack of emotional support to cope with the impact of the violence. The Children’s Act 1992 has addressed many issues, including child sexual abuse. However, activities to prevent sexual abuse and to support and rehabilitate children and young women who have experienced abuse in Nepal remain hugely neglected.
A research study report entitled “No More Suffering - Child Sexual Abuse in Nepal, published by UNICEF, found that nearly 18 percent of the 4,000 students interviewed had experienced severe sexual abuse, including molestation and rape.
To support Binita in helping these children, YesTax formed charitable foundation called the Guiding Light which was originally created to finance the invaluable work undertaken by Binita. As a business for good, YesTax agreed to finance the entire running costs of a safe house and donate 2.5% of their turnover to the Guiding Light foundation which has meant that the foundation has been able to help vulnerable children around the world. YesTax donates over £30,000 a year to the cause.
We are all so proud to be involved in such a wonderful cause and we have invited Binita to the UK next month where she will be attending a Bistro Night at the Summer House on Abbeydale Road South, on Wednesday 9th November 2022. Binita will be talking about the work that we have been supporting in Nepal.
If you are interested in hearing more about the valuable work being done in Nepal, please contact hello@yes.tax
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