The app for independent voices
As a survivor of childhood sexual abuse I always read these stories with very mixed feelings. It is a positive that an abuser has been named, faced a judge and been found accountable for his actions .
However, it is a definite negative that another person had to experience such abuse as a youth. Actions that I can I tell you will be with that survivor as long as they live . I am sure the finding of guilt and subsequent sentencing bring some relief to the survivor but I doubt very much it addresses all of the survivors concerns . I can’t say this with complete certainty as by the time I fully appreciated what had happened to me as a child my abuser was long dead. I don’t believe that knowing he would have served jail time would have fixed all of the pain and shame he inflicted upon me. Those things are now part of who I am and how I see the world . Fortunately, in my case I have solid and caring network of family, friends and health professionals who support me through my hardest days . Unfortunately, I can tell you from conversations with other survivors that this is sadly not always the case.
A lot more effort is necessary to address this ongoing hurt in our community and it will take all of us working together to prevent such abuse from continuing to happen. In the meantime there is much we can do to support those of us who have been abused as children. A listening ear, a supportive comment and the creation of safe spaces to have these conversations go a long way towards healing.