Karen Macmillan

@macnelliebus.bsky.social

Counsellor and trainer with specialism in working with ex boarders. Sometimes outspoken, sometimes just noodling around.

I'm in print! Now that I have a hard copy in my hands, it feels true. I hope the book proves helpful and adds something meaningful to the growing literature on boarding school harm. With thanks to Nick Duffell for the opportunity to contribute a chapter on a subject close to my heart.

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Tonight I am attendng the third in Piers Cross & Ben Cole's webinars on Boarding School Syndrome. The stories we have heard shared over these webinars are remarkable. This form of traumatisng children needs to be recognised so it stands equally alongside the many other forms. No more #denial.

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Where does TrumpElon think innovation for all their favorite biotech corporations comes from? PCR only exists because somebody was looking for bacteria in hot springs at Yellowstone. I’m just a private practice ophthalmologist who barely understands p values but even I know this shit is important.

Rachael Sirianni, PhD@docsirianni.bsky.social · 2y ago

This is my institution. These are the people I work with making these decisions. The situation is heartbreaking. Public medical schools have no other choice; there is no other source of funding, and everyone in academia is at extreme risk right now.

On Monday the Commons discusses legislation for #mandatoryreporting of child sexual abuse - at last. But the bill currently is useless - it must be a crime to fail to report evidence OR suspicion of abuse. As in most countries Otherwise, the scandals and the misery will go on. tinyurl.com/4uy8jufk

Importance of Mandatory Reporting - Jonathan West - Director of Mandate Now - Seen & Heard

Mandatory reporting must include known AND suspected child sexual abuse, a CRIMINAL SANCTION for failing to report and protection for those making reports

seenheard.org.uk

2. Here's one thing I said in the chat tonight: Darren McGarvey has a new book coming out, reflecting on how adults tell their stories of childhood trauma. This discussion creates one place of intersection for the wider trauma movement and the as-yet-narrower boarding school survivor movement.

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That meeting between Zelenskyy, Trump & Vance contained so many shifts in relational boundaries. It is easy to have missed them, amidst the drama & the bluster. I want to highlight them because they provide signals as to how international relations will be tested in coming weeks. THREAD

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It’s taken far too long for this to happen, but it’s a major victory for all those seeking justice for crimes they could not be expected to process, let alone comprehend, at such a young age. Thanks to all who campaigned for this overdue justice. ❤️ www.theguardian.com/law/2025/feb...

‘Watershed moment’ as three-year time limit on child rape claims scrapped in England and Wales

Under current rules, civil child sexual abuse cases must be brought within three years of turning 18

theguardian.com

Many of our world leaders attended boarding school. So how does that in turn affect our society? Film premiere at Rio Cinema, E8, on 1 March doors opening 1.30pm, film starts 2-4pm inc Q&A with special guests and the film team. Tickets here: www.riocinema.org.uk/movie/boardi...

Boarding on Insanity + Q&A

It is a sobering fact that the majority of our world leaders attended boarding school. So how does that in turn affect our society? Are our leaders who attended boarding school, traumatised? BOARDIN...

riocinema.org.uk

From the introduction by Olivia Laing: "School. He called it Paradise Perverted: beatings instead of embraces, the miserable little boys in their poorly fitting suits torturing each other, starved of affection, estranged from their bodies" Prep school, boarding school.

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Massive news. There are hundreds of thousands of people in Britain abused as children that this law would have saved. Including me. Well done Tom Perry & @mandatenow.bsky.social. I've campaigned on this a bit: for them, a life's work. Now: get the new law right. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

Yvette Cooper says she will force professionals to report child sexual abuse claims

Home secretary announces plans to implement key demand from Jay inquiry in England

theguardian.com