Stop the Silence Surrounding Sexual Abuse
What does it take to Stop the Silence Surrounding Sexual Abuse?
One effort is where 24 healing arts professionals from around the world came together to share their childhood sexual abuse stories as well as practical tools, practices, and methods related to holistic health, healing, and wellness for survivors.
This collaboration resulted in the book: Stop the Silence: Thriving After Childhood Sexual Abuse. Click here to learn more about this #1 Best Seller that is changing lives.
Raising Awareness is part of Stopping the Silence
- Every year, millions of girls and boys around the world face sexual abuse and exploitation.
- Sexual violence occurs everywhere–in every country and across all segments of society.
- A child may be subjected to sexual abuse or exploitation at home, at school, or in their community.
- Most often, abuse occurs at the hands of someone a child knows and trusts.
- At least 120 million girls under the age of 20– about 1 in 10 [worldwide]–have been forced to engage in sex or perform other sexual acts, although the actual figure is likely much higher.
(UNICEF, https://www.unicef.org/protection/sexual-violence-against-children)
Inspiring Hope and Healing is another part of Stopping the Silence.
- The book’s cover image is the dragonfly because it symbolizes change, transformation, adaptability, and self-realization.
- This change is in both mental and emotional maturity and understanding the deeper meaning of life.
- The dragonfly’s scurrying flight across water represents an act of going beyond what’s on the surface and looking into the deeper implications and aspects of life.
- The dragonfly’s iridescence is associated with the discovery of one’s own abilities by unmasking the real self and removing the doubts one casts on his/her own sense of identity.
- The eyes of the dragonfly symbolize the uninhibited vision of the mind and the ability to see beyond the limitations of the human self.
Moving along the stages of healing is part of Stopping the Silence.
- We experience abuse and/or trauma which leaves us feeling victimized. The victimization effects our minds, our bodies and our spirits. We are often left with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) which can show up when we least expect it.
- It is critical for the victim to seek a therapist or counselor who can provide a safe space to do the healing work. This means acknowledging and addressing the harm that has been done. There are many different approaches used to help with this process.
- After looking back and healing the hurt parts of ourselves, we move into being a survivor. We have survived what happened to us, and yet, we may feel stuck in some ways. We may feel like we are going through the motions, not fully living our lives or even find ourselves repeating unhealthy patterns.
- It is critical at this junction to look at what is keeping you “stuck”.
These are your limiting beliefs.
- These beliefs were created because of what you experienced.
- They may have been told to you or they may be something you came up with to explain what happened to you. For me, one is that “I am not worthy”. I believe that as a victim of childhood sexual abuse, I didn’t understand why no one came to my aid and I deduced that I must not be worthy of intervention.
- Once we can identify what those limiting beliefs are, we can begin to claim our truth and re-write that narrative.
The least stage is to see that you are absolutely worthy and can move into loving your whole self. You can move into thriving.
No matter where you are along this continuum, you have weathered the storm and there is bright sunlight waiting to come through – there is hope of a brighter tomorrow.
I know the fear of the unknown. The unknown can keep us stuck at various points along the continuum. You may be questioning when timing is right:
- to leave the situation
- to recognize where you are stuck in unhealthy patterns (people pleaser, secret keeper, protector of status quo, perfectionist, self-defeatest … all are unhealthy and unhelpful)
- to do your deeper work of examining limiting beliefs and breaking unhealthy patterns
Let me shine the light of love on you right now: You are worthy!
You are whole and beautiful! The core of who you are is nothing but good! If you need to hear this… trauma and abuse are never the victim’s fault!
You deserve to stop taking care of other people and to take care of yourself. In our next blog we will talk about how.
At Survivors to Thrivers are always here for you.
If you need encouragement and support, don’t hesitate to reach out to us by email (through Contact Us) or social media.
We welcome your stories of moving from victim to survivor to thriver.
Remember, your trauma is not your fault.
You are beautiful, inspiring and have essential, inherent value.
Thank you for being a part of this uplifting and empowering community.
Here’s to Thriving and Awakening Your Light!
Talk To Tambry
I am glad you have taken the time to engage with this blog. Sometimes it is helpful to process new insights that emerge. If you would appreciate brief time with a someone who understands, our Talk to Tambry offering is for you. For 30 minutes, you can receive support from Tambry who is a certified life coach, spiritual director and a survivor who has been on the journey as well. This is offered at a reduced rate of $50.