Sophie Olson is a respected voice in the field of child sexual abuse advocacy, combining lived experience with professional expertise to deliver impactful keynote presentations that transform understanding and practice.
Sophie is a contributor in 'Drop The Disorder + Do Something' - edited by Jo Watson and published by PCCS Books.
She has written for NOTA, and contributed to media publications including Metro, Glamour, and several academic papers.
Publications
_edited.png)
Her best-selling book, "The Flying Child - A Cautionary Fairy Tale for Adults", co-authored with her therapist Patricia Walsh, and published by ZunTold, reimagines society's response to child sexual abuse and has been recognised for its innovative approach to a stigmatised topic affecting millions of people in the UK alone. With editorial reviews including the NSPCC and Dr Lucy Johnstone (Power Threat Meaning Framework), this collaboration represents the therapeutic journey, offering insights for both survivors and professionals. Sophie contributes to The Flying Child blog, and is currently working on her next book.
%20(2).jpg)
Sophie's advocacy stems from her drive to improve the systemic response to child sexual abuse, and the impacts of trauma.
Side By Side CSA, the training programme she developed for The Flying Child CIC, began in Education, and is now recognised UK-wide as an valuable resource for professionals, including those in Social Care, Healthcare and Maternity. As co-developer of The Skylark Project with Dr Charlotte Small (Wye Valley Trust), she has created a pathway of care within the NHS specifically designed for survivors of sexual violence.
Sophie's story was featured by BBC Radio 4 in the Aria winning documentary "The Last Taboo," bringing public attention to a largely hidden public health crisis. In 2022, she was shortlisted for the Criminal Justice Alliance Awards' Saskia Jones Award for Victims Services.
Sophie's Work
Upcoming Events
.png)
Confirmed engagements in 2025 include:
-
UK Counselling Network
-
Charterhouse Safeguarding Conference
-
GP Conference: Speaker and trainer.
Recent Keynotes
Sophie has delivered keynote addresses at conferences including:
-
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) Conference
-
The NSPCC Patrnerships and Development Day
-
One Education Safeguarding Conference
-
CSA Centre Roadshow
One Education Safeguarding Conference
About Sophie
.png)
Speaking both as Sophie Olson and as The Flying Child, Sophie brings a dual perspective to her presentations. She is the founder of The Flying Child CIC, an organisation normalising conversations about child sexual abuse (CSA) through survivor-led training, campaigning, and support.
Sophie has first-hand experience of child sexual abuse within a middle-class family, and the profound impacts of trauma compounded by a mental health system that failed to recognise the root cause. Instead of addressing what happened to her, professionals chose to pathologise her normal trauma responses, incorrectly labelling and further traumatising her with the prognosis: "There will be no recovery from severe and enduring mental illness."
Her life changed began when she found a therapist, Patricia Walsh, who approached her as "human first" – someone willing to look beyond the labels and see the person beneath the diagnosis. This therapeutic relationship supported Sophie to find a path towards living, not just surviving.
What Others Say
"Members of the Plymouth team were at this event and all commented on how impactful Sophie's keynote was. If anyone is looking for a survivor focused, clear, ability to 'meet the brief' input, all in a unique & special way then we would highly recommend The Flying Child"
Together For Childhood - NSPCC Partnerships Day
"Sophie was out of this world. I'm looking forward to getting her in to work with my team."
One Education Safeguarding Conference
Book Sophie For Your Event
Transform your understanding of CSA and create meaningful change in your organisation. Sophie's presentations combine personal insight with professional expertise, delivered with sensitivity and impact.
Contact us today to inquire about Sophie's availability for your conference, training event, or workshop.
Recent Engagements
The Flying Child book launch hosted by SHaME
Sophie has been a speaker and panelist at events including:
-
The SHaME Project - book launch of The Flying Child - A Cautionary Fairy Tale For Adults
-
The Festival Of Activism Against Child Sexual Abuse (The Flying Child as Festival Partner, contributor and panelist)
-
London ACEs Hub webinar:
-
AD4E Festival
-
London Dentistry Show (panelist)
THE FLYING CHILD CIC
Registered Company
13674916
85 Great Portland Street
1st Floor
London
England
W1W 7LT
Sophie’s experience at university, detailed in The Flying Child – A Cautionary Tale for Adults, highlights the lasting impact of trauma and the lack of support in education. Despite being told she would "never achieve or be accepted at another university" by a senior lecturer, and facing significant barriers, she has become a leading voice in survivor-led research. Now consulting on projects across the UK and Ireland, she aims to ensure trauma-informed approaches are prioritised. In 2025, she will speak at the BACP International Research Conference on the importance of collaboration in research.
Sophie was a contributor to The Truth Project for the Independent Inquiry Into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), and in 2024 consulted on The National Review Into Child Sexual Abuse Within the Family Environment, (“I wanted them all to notice"), commissioned by the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel. Most recently she has consulted on the 'Communicating With Children' resource published by The CSA Centre of Expertise.
Research and Consultancy
Collaborative projects include:
-
Bristol Dental School and Viv Gordon Company: “Improving Access To Dentistry For Adult Survivors of Child Sex Abuse”
-
The PATHWAY Study: Developing and evaluating a new care pathway to improve outcomes for people with complex trauma (Lived Experience Advisory Group)
-
University College Dublin: Investigating Fictional Representations of Child Sexual Abuse in Contemporary Culture: Myths and Understanding (CSAReps) project. (Advisory board member)
-
Birkbeck University CSA Recoveries Histories Project: (The Flying Child CIC partner organisation supplying training to practitioners in Healthcare, Education and Social Work)
-
MAPS - Mapping Approaches to a Programme of Survivor-led research: co-developing our vision, values and principles.
-
UK-wide FOI (with Dr Jude Field and Dr Elsa Mongomary)
-
UWE Bristol: Finding Voice, Finding Voices, with Alison Rouse
-
Survivor Exploration of Meaning, Articulation and Negotiation of Terminology and Identity in Complex trauma (SEMANTIC): King’s College London and Traumascapes
%20(1).png)
The Flying Child - A Cautionary Fairy Tale For Adults