About Us

Lotus Collaborations is dedicated to ensuring that autistic survivors of sexual violence and related abuse are believed and supported throughout their recovery journey.

Our objectives are achieved through:

Collaborating with survivors to voice, explore, and share ideas on recovery pathways.

Initiating and responding to training opportunities that address the intersection of autism, sexual violence, and related abuse.

Engaging with diverse societal groups to establish collaborative projects and raise awareness.

Enhance recovery pathways for autistic survivors by providing training to the general public.

Why we do it

Statistics show a high prevalence of sexual violence among autistic individuals, yet many autistic survivors face barriers accessing services due to past negative experiences and fears of judgement, often related to their intersectional identities.

Lotus Collaborations focuses on training, consultancies, and collaborations to exchange knowledge and address attitudes that hinder recovery. Our goal is to support survivors’ wellbeing and help them thrive.

Provision and Development of Resources

Lotus Collaborations will partner with others to create a wide range of resources tailored to the needs of individuals and services. By addressing diverse communication needs, we aim to reach a broad and inclusive audience.

We prioritise supporting individuals and services in engaging with collaborations and events that recognise the diversity of survivor experiences. This fosters positive conversations and highlights how survivors have leveraged their experiences to raise societal awareness of sexual violence and relate abuse.

Meet The Team

Directors

Dr Susy Ridout is the Founder of Lotus Collaborations, which unashamedly forefronts the voices and needs of autistic survivors of sexual violence and related abuse. Susy is a competent and passionate trainer in neurodivergence, sexual violence and abuse with health and specialist services, Sexual Assault Referral Centres, and the police, in addition to numerous community groups. Her vision for Lotus is to raise awareness of the unique needs of autistic survivors in response to violence and to challenge oppressive practices and frameworks of power.

Dave Adams is a Director and the Treasurer for Lotus, and having recently retired, offers over 20 years' experience as an accountant at Deputy Director level in NHS Trusts.

Two members of his immediate family are autistic, with one having a life significantly affected by trauma at an early age. Having learnt so much from their experiences and insight, he was delighted to discover Lotus, an autistic led organisation looking to improve support to survivors.

Tasbeha Nawaz is a website designer for Lotus Collaborations, dedicated to creating an accessible and user-friendly experience for neurodivergent and autistic users. With expertise in UX/UI design, software engineering, and SEO, Tasbeha combines technical skills with a deep commitment to inclusivity.

Leading the website development and collaborating closely with directors to ensure the site meet high accessibility standards and reflected the organisation’s mission, delivering a seamless and engaging platform for all users.

Ambassadors

Diana

Diana Suárez is delighted to be an ambassador for Lotus Collaborations, combining a background in education and the creative arts with a passion for lifelong learning. As an autistic person and advocate for the neurodivergent community, she is driven by her own life experiences and a deep commitment to helping other survivors find their voice and share their story.