When I first started recovering memories from my abusive childhood, I had no idea what to do with them. I felt like they were stuck somewhere inside of my body and that’s where they would stay. I started journaling my memories and found it to be very helpful, but I still felt like something was missing from my healing journey. I would visit my therapist, look her in the eyes, and tell her that something was very bad. But I could not say what happened. I could not verbally recount the events of the memory to another person … even a person I trusted.
It was as though a lifetime of shame was stopping my words. They were stuck in my throat and I could not get them out.
But there was something else stopping me besides the shame. I was absolutely convinced that nobody would believe me. As a child, I was told by my family that nobody would ever believe me. This wasn’t a suggestion. It was repeated thousands of times. It was brainwashing. And I had no reason to doubt it.
I struggled for a while, but after some time, I was able to tell my therapist about the memories. I started with a general overview. “My dad abused me. My dad sold me. My mother helped.” Later, I was able to tell her more of the details. Then, I was able to tell one other person. Then, I was able to talk about it in a support group … sometimes. I found that I was able to tell people that I trusted in environments that I trusted. I thought that would be the end of my sharing.
But then, there was the internet. I have heard social media referred to as a waste of time. I have heard that social media does not help move us forward, that it isn’t advocacy. I disagree. Social media has been instrumental in my healing by allowing me a venue for my voice. I started with Facebook (because doesn’t everyone?). I started testing my voice on issues other than my abuse. I put out a few posts about things that I had opinions about. I started with ideas that I thought would be generally accepted. Over time, I was able to post about topics that might not be accepted by everyone, even politics. This was hard for me because I had been trained by my parents to not have opinions. It took a long time to express myself openly and even longer to stop over-reacting to those who disagreed.
And then came the blog. When I decided to write a blog, I panicked for a month. After posting the first article, my anxiety was so intense, I was sure my heart would actually pop out of my chest. I even struggled with paranoia. I literally thought I was going to die. The power of my old thought patterns was overwhelming me. I was still sure that speaking my mind meant dying. Why not? That is what my parents told me.
Of course, the opposite has happened. I have healed so much from writing the blog. Although there has been healing from voicing my story, the real healing has come from the love and support of the readers and other survivors. I am so grateful for this community. And I know and respect the courage of every blogger who writes on this topic.
And because I always love a challenge, I have started speaking to groups about sex abuse and trafficking. The first time I gave a presentation, I was filled with anxiety. It was not the fear of public speaking. I have always been a public speaker on other topics. While writing is my first love, I am an extrovert by nature, so the personal connection is very important to me. Despite my difficult past and the trust issues that accompany that past, I find it relatively easy to connect with others. I am drawn to others. It is just a part of who I am. Honestly, my desire to know other good people is probably one of the main drivers for my recovery journey.
I have met (and re-met) some people lately that I am so glad to know. My story wasn’t easy for them to hear, but they appreciated my perspective and their own increased awareness. Although my audience was focusing on what I had to say, it wasn’t my story that was the highlight of the event for me. It was theirs. It turns out that when I share, others share. It turns out that children aren’t the only people with dreadful secrets.
What is it about these discussions that encourage sharing? Maybe we need to feel safe. Maybe we need to hear a story that sounds as unbelievable as our story sounds in our heads. Maybe we recognize vulnerability when we see it, and we reciprocate.
There are two things I have learned. Our everyday life does not allow for the vulnerability of sharing our deepest secrets. And there is nothing more healing than sharing in front of people who believe you and unconditionally accept your story. NOTHING.
I am not referring to telling all the horrific details of our story to law enforcement, the media or medical professionals. I am talking about the act of sharing vulnerably with people that can be trusted to respond with empathy and understanding. I am talking about the kind of healing environment that can move a person from a place of deep sadness to a place of relief, and possibly hope. If we want to heal our world, we have to start by healing ourselves. We heal ourselves through our vulnerability, our willingness to be honest about the parts of us that feel broken beyond repair. It can be hard to create an environment where that kind of sharing can happen, but I have discovered one way to do that. I have to do it first.
This post really resonates with me. Not only the shame we held from our abuse, but that we had been programmed to believe we couldn’t tell because we wouldn’t be believed. I too felt the paranoia when I started my blog to tell my story. I was positive the world would come crashing down on my head. Your blog was one of the first that I turned to, and found the strength–YOUR strength–that allowed me to continue. And I thank you for that.
Thank you Mandy! I am so glad to know you now. When I refer to the healing power of unconditional support from survivors, you are certainly one who comes to mind. 🙂
Thank you, Elisabeth! ♥
This is so true! I have found more support through blogging than from sharing my story publicly where I live. No one has said “I don’t believe you” – my big fear – but instead they have distanced themselves or narrowed our friendship over it. There are many who encourage and speak support but few who will take me seriously on any other level, especially friendship, after that. It was quite a shock. I have found other sources of true relationship so I am not alone just wiser about people. Always, fellow survivors are supportive. That I know I can count on. Thanks for taking that step. You have been an encouragement to me through your blog. I was feeling quite alone when I discovered you. So grateful you pushed through the fear. Keep writing and speaking. The world needs to hear us. Blessings!
Thank you so much! I am so grateful to have met you too! This community is so healing.
I’m with you on all of this. Blogging for me very quickly became more than just blogging, and I’m so grateful for it. Grateful to get to know you through it too. xo
You too Zoe! I am so happy to have met you!
Thank you! xo
This blog is wonderful and helpful. An abuse victim myself, my full recall didn’t happen until I was 22. I have been asked, why don’t abuse victims tell? Your blog explains it in so many important ways. You can’t just “tell.” Hopefully your blog will help the silent to come forward.
Just 10 minutes ago I saw on the news, a school janitor was discovered peeping on boys in the bathroom in an elementary school. In the 70s, we had a teacher’s aide do that, and no one did anything about it. He would join the boys in the bathroom, side-hug them at the urinals. Side-hug them in the hand washing area. The boys in my class always talked about it. You could see it yourself, him going in to the bathroom…and it was always after the same boy, my first crush. If all the kids in the school knew, and talked about it, how did he never get caught?
If only people knew how prevalent crimes against children are.
Thank you so much. This kind of abuse is everywhere. There are too many people looking the other way. I like to think the awareness is better than when we were kids, but people are still getting away with it. They may just be more sneaky about it.
I AGREE. I tweet, Facebook, Google +, Blog, Survivor Chat, and talk on Survivor Forums, and email with Survivors. All of these things are resources in my healing. All of them help me heal. All of them connect me with other Healing Survivors. All of them expand my support network. All of them expand my friends with like minds… and… I have a large support system unplugged from the net too… and I am glad for all of it!! Great topic to blog about.
Thank you. I am so glad you have found your voice too.
http://lifeandptsd.wordpress.com/2014/03/26/brave-heart-award/
Stand Strong You Are Not Alone
I call you a survivor, because that is what you are. There are days when you don’t feel like a survivor and there are days when the memories trigger your past and it feels like you are losing the fight – but you are not. Take the past and heal with it. You are strong. I want you to know that the abuse was not your fault. It does not matter what age it happened. You did not deserve it, you did not cause it, and you did not bring it on yourself. You own no shame, guilt, or remorse. In your life, you have faced many demons but look around you and you will see there is hope, and there is beauty. You are beautiful, You are loved, there is hope. You deserve to be loved and treated with respect. You deserve peace and joy in your life. Don’t settle for anything less than that. God has plans for you. Your future does not have to be dictated by your past.
Each step you take you are not alone.
Thank you so much.
Very true, life and ptsd
I totally agree the blogging is cathartic. Because of the ananimity it creates it own safe place to share listen and learn from one another
Absolutely. On this blog, I have a forum that is anonymous too and I can tell it is so helpful for folks to be able to write whatever they want.
I recently started reading your blog. It’s wonderful because it’s educational and for that reason I’ve nominated you for The Brave Heart Award.
http://lisapinney.wordpress.com/
Thank you Lisa
Your very welcome!
I think it’s true that there is no space to talk and share the hard secrets in our daily lives. I’m grateful for the opportunity I have to speak because of the work you are doing to share your own truths with others. Although it’s terrifying at first, beginning to speak is a relief. Thanks for inspiring me to be more open.
Thank you Jane! I am glad to know you and talk with you on the forum! I can see your courage shining through.
Thanks for sharing Elizabeth. I wish I had the courage to share my deepest darkest corners of my abuse. I grew up in a very strict family where airing your dirty laundry was met with a swift backhand. I’ve been in a loving relationship for 9 years, been to counselling and group therapy and I still can not verbalized my past. My anxieties are catching up and it’s getting harder and harder to keep things in. I fear rejection, being vulnerable and when I try the guilt eats me alive…I feel caught between my anxieties (which I think are stories screaming to be told) and guilt.
I think you are right about the anxiety. Have you done any journaling? I started by writing my stories from my inner child, so she could feel witnessed by me. After some time had passed, I was able to share it with others without guilt or shame. But I did use writing as a first step.
I have no emotional connection to my inner child and I’m not a big fan of writing, but I may have to start.
I recommend writing to anyone who will listen. If you have that perfectionist tendency (like I do), just allow yourself to write without edits in stream of consciousness. Just write anything that comes to your head. Nobody else has to see it. It is just for your inner child.
I will give it try. Thanks for input.
Yes, I identify so much with your post Elisabeth. Sharing with safe people in a safe environment has been healing for me. I have well over 20 years of journals that helped me find my voice. I’m so grateful for the jurnaling process. I am fairly new to social media and other online supports, and am finding them to be a wonderful support for me and I see it is for so many others too.
The more survivors of childhood trauma speak our truth and stand together, we grow in strength and can support each other even more.
Thank you for being such a strong & positive voice Elisabeth.
Thank you Donna! I am so glad for your support here and your strength in your own journey.