Our Beginnings

In 2017, global news feeds were dominated by allegations of sexual abuse in many spheres of society. #metoo

We asked:

• How has society normalised sexual abuse and objectification to such a degree that it has been tolerated and ignored for so long?
• What would it take to rewrite the prevailing cultural narrative that normalises sexual objectification and help shape a community that promotes healthy relationships?
• Can the community work together to create a culture of dignity and equality for the next generation to grow up in?

A conversation was launched and has been gathering voices ever since. The sexualisation of children, the easy accessibility of sexually explicit material and the normalisation of pornography are harming our young people's physical, mental, emotional and relational health.

The wellbeing of our children is important — Dignify is saying let’s talk about porn — to shape a new narrative for healthy relationships.

We believe that the people of our town and your town care for our young people more than the porn industry does. We believe that as a community working together, we can shape a new porn-free narrative so that children and young people can thrive within healthy relationships.

What do we do?

• We champion healthy relationships for everyone...
• We talk and educate about the harmful impact of porn...
• We are working towards a future for our children and young people that is free from the sexual abuse and objectification that porn can normalise...

...through

• youth workshops
• parent workshops
• teacher support (school assemblies, lesson plans)
• think tanks, conferences and events

Helen Roberts, Dignify CEO/Founder, leads a core team of people who offer their skills on a pro bono basis. All the team have a deep and enduring compassion for those caught up in abuse. We desire to make a lasting positive change and are united by our passion to help young people navigate life’s challenges and discover ways to develop healthy relationships free from the harmful effects of porn. 

Our board of trustees is chaired by Guy Foxell, the CEO of One YMCA.

Guy is joined by Jenny Gwyther, Russell Stevens and Baroness Dorothy Thornhill. Together, they oversee the work of Dignify to deliver the charitable outcomes for which Dignify has been set up, for the benefit of the public and in line with charity laws.