PBS not only did a report on childhood trauma they are also sharing some helpful information.
This might be worth bookmarking, or if you are currently dealing with children in trauma in your own family, you may find some resources that can help you today. So, I’m sharing and if you know someone in that situation, I’d ask that you share with them too.
Suzanna’s article below is about domestic abuse as an adult, but I think a lot of it also applies to survivors of childhood abuse as well. Not all of it, but nuggets like this seem very familiar to me: “Looking at the past brings shame, judgment. No one wants to be a victim. It’s embarrassing….
The article below is about Restorative Justice, and idea that has become popular in some instances, because as much as we may not like it, this is true: “Some of the problems with the criminal justice system can, and should, be addressed through reform. Other problems may be unavoidable in an adversarial system.” I have…
Frankly, I am concerned too: “Experts on child sexual abuse are extremely concerned about the rise of conspiracy theories, particularly in what are intended as safe places for survivors. “It’s very discomforting” to know that sexual abuse survivors are being drawn into conspiracy theories like QAnon, says Jetta Bernier, executive director for Mass Kids, a…
I can’t remember the last time I had many of those little incidental interactions. Once upon a time they were frequent, multiple times a day. Now?
Yeah, not as much. which is why we need to try and create some of these interactions, even if they can’t always be in person. A few texts back and forth, a quick call, a chat with coworkers on our messaging platform, laughter with the people you do see, etc.
I miss the interactions I used to have, there’s no doubt about that, but I am trying, not always successfully, to make sure I still manage to create some. I know how vital that connectedness is for my own mental health.
I also know I’m not alone in that.
Every survivor has the freedom to choose how, when, and in what detail, they want to share their story. You can ask for more, but you also have to respect the survivor’s choice to not answer. They don’t owe you that. The only time it’s really even appropriate to press for details if you’re a criminal prosecutor trying to help the survivor bring the abuser to justice.
Outside of that very specific situation? No, we don’t owe you anything. You can support a survivor without knowing all the details. In fact, respecting their boundaries around what they decide to share, is one great way to support them in their healing. They’ve already had too many people not respect their boundaries.
