Catching up with news following computer problems last week, US Jesuits have settled a class action lawsuit for the abuse perpetrated against Native American children over a 50-year time period. The BBC covered the story which you can read here.
– CBG
For many survivors, their definition of healed automatically becomes a goal that can never be reached. We should quit trying to “be the person I was before the abuse” because it’s impossible. By setting that as our pass/fail goal, we sentence ourselves to a lifetime of falling short, instead of a lifetime of celebrating the gap between where we started and where we are today. We also never find a better goal that is more realistic.
Please, take a good look at how you are defining healed. More importantly, don’t lose sight of the amount of healing and growth that you’ve already done. Be proud of it. This is your life, it’s not a pass/fail exam. It’s so much bigger than that.
The hiatus for the Carnival Against Child Abuse is over, and on the first day of Fall, Marj has posted the latest version. I’m so glad to see it back again, and look forward to digging into these posts, and more in the months to come. Go take a look and welcome it back, thanks…
“What kind of relief is affordable, efficient, effective and nontoxic? The answer is touch. Hugs and other forms of non-sexual physical soothing, such as hand-holding and head-stroking, intervene at the physical level to help the brain and the body calm down from overwhelming states of anxiety, panic and shame.” Sadly, for many survivors of sexual…
If nothing else, I hope you’ll go read the article for two reasons. One, to recognize how difficult it can be to come forward, and have leaders dismiss your claims, so that you know how not to run any organizations that you and your kids are involved with, and two, to recognize how certain cultural values create a space for abusers. Churches rely on charismatic leaders, but without proper safeguards and oversight, you’ll attract some very charismatic evildoers too. Also, understand that environments with such a strong focus on sexual purity, create a culture where kids are desperate to not do the “worst thing” and are susceptible to this kind of grooming, not to mention a lot of shame around a very natural subject. That shame only increases the secrecy around sex, and again creates a place where secrets can thrive. DO NOT BE A PLACE WHERE SECRETS THRIVE!
Suicide Survivor Shares Story and Advice For Helping Others The 3 Pillars of Mental Health Lessons on Compassion: Why It’s Good for Us and How We Can Do More of It Point of View: ‘I am still standing’: How soccer helped a sexual assault survivor on his healing journey Sexual abuse, your ignorance is their power…
