Message To Survivors
Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse...
"Survivors"... It is the Goal of SpeakingOut that YOU, as a Survivor of
Child Sexual Abuse, DO MORE THAN JUST SURVIVE...
It was NOT YOUR FAULT...
Regardless of how old you were, regardless of how long it went on & regardless what your
Abuser or anyone else has ever told you, it was not your fault. You were a CHILD! We believe a
Child is a child from Birth to 18 Years of Age. You were taken advantage of by someone in
Authority over you. And the only shame in that is that of your Abuser.
Know This! Believe this will all Your Heart!
There was nothing that you did to cause your abuse. There was nothing wrong with you why
you were picked out. It is as simple as this... Your Abuser had access or gained access to you.
The molesting & raping of children is their (the abuser's) issue. You did nothing wrong. So
when you question why you, why you may not have told anyone or why you didn't or couldn't stop
them, remember that you were just a boy or girl... A Child.
Child Sexual Abuse, DO MORE THAN JUST SURVIVE...
It was NOT YOUR FAULT...
Regardless of how old you were, regardless of how long it went on & regardless what your
Abuser or anyone else has ever told you, it was not your fault. You were a CHILD! We believe a
Child is a child from Birth to 18 Years of Age. You were taken advantage of by someone in
Authority over you. And the only shame in that is that of your Abuser.
Know This! Believe this will all Your Heart!
There was nothing that you did to cause your abuse. There was nothing wrong with you why
you were picked out. It is as simple as this... Your Abuser had access or gained access to you.
The molesting & raping of children is their (the abuser's) issue. You did nothing wrong. So
when you question why you, why you may not have told anyone or why you didn't or couldn't stop
them, remember that you were just a boy or girl... A Child.
How To Do More Than Just "Survive"...
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;
I have come that they may have life and have it to
the full."
(John 10:10)
Something was Stolen from You... Your Innocence! But to let it
destroy you means "the thief" has accomplished exactly what he
set out to do.
"Those who created yesterday's pain do not control tomorrow's
potential. Satan discusses your past. That appears to be the only
information he has. Jesus discusses your future. He enters your
life to end your past and give birth to tomorrow."
I have come that they may have life and have it to
the full."
(John 10:10)
Something was Stolen from You... Your Innocence! But to let it
destroy you means "the thief" has accomplished exactly what he
set out to do.
"Those who created yesterday's pain do not control tomorrow's
potential. Satan discusses your past. That appears to be the only
information he has. Jesus discusses your future. He enters your
life to end your past and give birth to tomorrow."
Reveal the Truth... Uncover the Crime committed against You when you were a Child. Don't
keep it a secret any longer. There's no shame in it for You, regardless of how it may feel. Again,
you were a Child...an Innocent Victim. But that doesn't mean that you have to remain a Victim
for the rest of your life.
Talk About It... There is Healing in being able to talk about the violation You endured as a
Child. Find that person or group that you feel safe with & trust to discuss your Abuse openly. The
purpose is to face what happened to you & move forward. Because of the sensitivity of this topic,
if you fail to find that right person/group at first, try again. There are people out there that are
willing to listen.
Seek Professional Help (If Needed/As Needed)... Biblical Counseling, Support
Group, Therapy, etc… You can also do your own research to find the right avenue for you. For
example, you may want to talk to your local Pastor about local resources.
Do Something About It... Get Involved in the Fight Against Child Sexual Abuse! Whatever
that means for you. Help break the cycle of this horrible crime.
Truly Heal, Overcome, Conquer... The act of sex was created by God as a beautiful
thing between a husband and wife. However, society (people) have misused sex & distorted it in
just about every way possible you can think of. One of these ways is by adults Molesting &
Raping Children. It was never meant to be used as a weapon against anyone, especially
innocent children.
"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being
done..." (Genesis 50:20)
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have
been called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)
God's word says He will take ALL things & use them for good, but YOU have to go to HIM for
comfort, healing & guidance!
keep it a secret any longer. There's no shame in it for You, regardless of how it may feel. Again,
you were a Child...an Innocent Victim. But that doesn't mean that you have to remain a Victim
for the rest of your life.
Talk About It... There is Healing in being able to talk about the violation You endured as a
Child. Find that person or group that you feel safe with & trust to discuss your Abuse openly. The
purpose is to face what happened to you & move forward. Because of the sensitivity of this topic,
if you fail to find that right person/group at first, try again. There are people out there that are
willing to listen.
Seek Professional Help (If Needed/As Needed)... Biblical Counseling, Support
Group, Therapy, etc… You can also do your own research to find the right avenue for you. For
example, you may want to talk to your local Pastor about local resources.
Do Something About It... Get Involved in the Fight Against Child Sexual Abuse! Whatever
that means for you. Help break the cycle of this horrible crime.
Truly Heal, Overcome, Conquer... The act of sex was created by God as a beautiful
thing between a husband and wife. However, society (people) have misused sex & distorted it in
just about every way possible you can think of. One of these ways is by adults Molesting &
Raping Children. It was never meant to be used as a weapon against anyone, especially
innocent children.
"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being
done..." (Genesis 50:20)
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have
been called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)
God's word says He will take ALL things & use them for good, but YOU have to go to HIM for
comfort, healing & guidance!
The Effects of Child Sexual Abuse...
| When a child is sexually abused, the affects are immediate and more often than not will extend into adulthood. A book called Surviving Childhood Sexual Abuse by Carolyn Ainscough & Kay Toon says and I quote... "Begin sexually abused is like being involved in a disaster, a disaster that may be a one-time incident or may be repeated over many years." In addition, the book states "Sexual abuse has immediate and long-term affects. Without help, these problems can continue indefinitely. With help, Survivors can and do overcome these problems." The point is that YOU CAN OVERCOME these problems. As you read this section, what we want you to know is that it is normal if you experience some of the effects listed below considering the traumatic experience(s) that you faced as a child. But again, God can heal you. He places people in strategic places that can help you. As stated before, Seek Professional Help if needed & as needed. And Remember... Your Creator is the Ultimate Healer. "Effects of Sexual Abuse"
Anxiety Phobias Nervousness Nightmares Sleep Problems Depression Shame Guilt Feeling like a victim Lack of self-confidence Feeling different from others Feeling self-conscious Feeling dirty Feeling unable to act or change situations Obsessed with cleaning or washing Constant worry Suicide attempts Self-harming Blackouts Fits Not remembering what has happened for hours or days (blanking out) Binge-eating Self-induced vomiting Compulsive eating Anorexia nervosa No interest in sex Fear of sex Obsessed with sex Avoiding specific sexual activities Feeling unable to say “No” to sex Aggressive sexual behavior Flashbacks Hearing the abuser’s voice when he or she isn’t there Seeing the abuser’s face when he or she isn’t there Confusion about sexual orientation (homosexual or heterosexual) Confusion about sexual identity (male or female) Unable to get close to people Marrying young to get away from home Marital problems Unable to love, or show affection to, children Excessive fear for children Alcohol problems Drug problems Employment problems Begin re-victimized Criminal Involvement Needing to being control Delinquency Bullying Clinging and being extremely dependent Abusing others Aggressive behavior Anger Hostility Problems communicating Distrusting people Working too hard Difficulty in judging people’s trustworthiness Physical problems Source: "Surviving Childhood Sexual Abuse" [Book by Carolyn Ainscough & Kay Toon] |
Resources...
Be sure to click on Resources for additional information.
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