 School is back in session, Summer is over and reality has come back and slapped us in the face as we re-establish routines. HELLO FALL! While fall may bring many transitions, it can also be a great time for new and fresh beginnings as well. I wanted to acknowledge a subject that I feel passionate about and that is close to my heart. As many of you know, I specialize in working with Survivors of Sexual Abuse. The month of September is Childhood Sexual Abuse Survivor Awareness Month and I think its a great time to acknowledge just how much this issue affects so many. 1 in 4 Women have experienced Sexual Abuse 1 in 6 Men have experienced Sexual Abuse As alarming as these statistics are, these are even inaccurate, as those statistics are created from men and women who have come forward. It is often so difficult for a Survivor to even acknowledge that they have had these experiences, that some never come forward. There are feelings of fear that they won’t be believed, that it was their fault, and fear of what will come if they bring the perpetrator’s actions to light. They might have been threatened about coming forward or maybe even told that it is their fault that these experiences have occurred. This can be a difficult set of beliefs to change as it often goes into the grooming process that leads a Survivor to trust the perpetrator. Many have never told anyone that they faced these experiences and it can be so terrifying to let those words come out of your mouth. It makes it so much more REAL. Some common struggles that Survivors face are:
As you can see above, this kind of trauma can affect a Survivor each and every day of their lives. It is often impossible to escape these symptoms unless Therapy is sought out. If you have had an unwanted sexual experience and you find that it still has an impact on you, you are not alone. Many people don’t face the impacts of such events until years after the trauma(s) occurred. It might feel like you have done a good job managing the emotions around the trauma, but sometimes they can feel unmanageable. If this is the place that you are in and you aren’t sure if now is the right time, I am happy to be a resource for you and see if I can answer any questions for you. Whether your questions surround Therapy, Reporting, Victims Compensation or anything else that you are seeking answers for. It never feels like the RIGHT time to face our trauma(s). They are painful and dark and something that we prefer to ignore. But there can be light at the end of the tunnel and the symptoms that you face don’t have to plague you forever. Brittany Wingfield, MS, LPC
Nurtured Hearts Counseling, PLLC Lone Tree, Colorado 720-336-0913 brittany@nurturedheartscounseling.com
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Nurtured Hearts Counseling's Blog
Brittany WingfieldI am a Licensed Therapist in Lone Tree, Colorado and my goal for this blog is to explore taboo subjects that no one is willing to talk about and I am eager to bring awareness to. Facebook Feed |