Suffering in Silence

​I wanted to check in and connect. It feels like it has been forever. Sorry I have been somewhat MIA. I am working on some super great things that I can't wait to share with you! 

Hint: As many of you know if you follow my blog, that my specialty is in working with Survivors of Sexual Abuse and their Loved Ones. This includes: parents, spouses, partners, friends, siblings, other family members, or any close relationship). Did you know that 1 in 5 people experience sexual abuse? That means that, often, you are in a room that includes a Survivor. But you may never know. This is often a hush hush topic, because it's uncomfortable. But in keeping this topic taboo, it is more difficult for Survivors to come forward, and they are suffering in silence. Friends, this is a major major issue and one that we should be talking about and advocating for. 

I wanted to reach out and say that if you are a survivor and have never told anyone, know that this is not something you have to endure alone anymore. If you question whether your Abuse was significant enough, it is. You faced something that should have never occurred. 

This process can be so scary. What will come of sharing? How will someone respond? How will you feel knowing that someone else knows? This secret that you have kept for so long. I'm sure there are other questions that you face and these don't even touch the surface. 

​My heart breaks for all of the survivors that are living in silence. Silence is isolating and makes one feel trapped. You may feel like your past has a hold on you. What would it feel like to have your power back? To not be debilitated by this anymore? This may feel totally foreign. Maybe the way you are living feels normal to you now. I get it. We live in ways that we know we can manage. The unknown is scary and can bring uncertainty about whether or not it is manageable.

If you have any questions about Sexual Abuse and sharing, please ask. I am here to answer any questions that you have. Whether it be about sharing your own story or if you are worried about someone close to you. I want to offer myself as a safe resource. This is not an easy thing to share and I don't take it lightly. 

Maybe you need help navigating what it looks like to get your voice back. Maybe it's that little girl/boy inside you that needs to be given permission to speak up. What might they need to say? 

Someone once told me an analogy: trauma is like losing a limb. You didn't just break that limb and it needs time to heal, you suffered a loss. A loss that you will never get back and one that you have to live with for the rest of your life. Can you relate to this? 

I will end with this:

"Trauma creates change you don't choose, healing creates change you do choose."
- Michelle Rosenthal 

If you are a Loved One and have questions about Sexual Abuse and what your Survivor may be facing, please feel free to reach out and ask. Also, watch out for something that I am working on that will be greatly beneficial to you! 

If you are a Survivor and you don't know who to turn to. You aren't sure where to go next, I am happy to talk to you. I help empower Survivors to take their power back, find their voice, and know that they can create a better life moving forward.