New Here

[1LessSadRobot7]

Hello all,

My name is Zach. As long as the internet has been around, I don't know why it took me so long to find a forum to talk about these issues and to quit feeling so alone in all of this. I am 22 and in college. I think I was sexually abused between the ages of 5 and 10. It has been about 12 years since then, yet it still rules my life to this day. Hoping to gain some peace.

[opti]

Hey,

I am also new here.

I am dealing with some of the very same things, and I know how hard it feels.

I would like to talk with you privately if possible.

That being said, know that people out there are thinking of you. I don't have any inspirational stories to share, but I'm hoping I can make one for myself and the same for you.

[Maggi]

Hello Zach,

I stayed in silence for 20 years. The best thing I have found is to talk about your sexual abuse. I have started working with rape survivors and I am drawing great strength through this. It does get easier and when you realize when you begin to rise above it then your abusers lose. There is hope!

[1LessSadRobot7]

Thanks for your comments opti, I'm sorry we have to go through these things. I am available to talk with.

[1LessSadRobot7]

Maggi, I have just recently broke the silence with a few family members and friends. It helps, but the battle still seems to be faced alone. Or maybe it's my stubbornness that won't accept the help.

[reglois]

Hello Robot, Maggi, Opti, that you have to be here all round if OK

[tina619]

hello robot, maggi, opti Wecome it took me long come here and help me so much i sure we can help you.

[misszx9]

hi, i'm new here, today i posted a reply as my first post. i'd like to know if anyone knows where there is a forum for feeling alone in what i experienced and how they coped with it. i am a secondary survivor and witness to physical, verbal and emotional abuse. every thanksgiving it comes up. the only person in my family that has witnessed it won't talk to me about it, and i've tried reaching out to my cousin who actually was the one who was abused. i'm not sure he'd be willing to talk about it.

unfortunately, the abuser is a close relative of mine and she and her husband were integral in my upbringing so i have mixed feelings. on one hand i love her. they kept my single mother and brother afloat when we were on food stamps, etc. and she and i have much in common. but i can't believe i witnessed what i did over and over again and i cannot understand WHY a parent would so angrily abuse their child (abuse never happened to me at her hands) but it's now a "family secret" and i have no one who i can talk to about this who witnessed it like i did.

i definitely feel alone. the one person who did witness it, won't discuss it with me.

thanks.

[angelic]

hello Zach,

welcome to After Silence, my name is Paula and I am one of the newbie support team here. I'm glad you eventually found us and I hope you find the peace you're looking for. If you need any help with the forum please contact me any time. I will do my best to help

take care, Paula

[1LessSadRobot7]

hi, i'm new here, today i posted a reply as my first post. i'd like to know if anyone knows where there is a forum for feeling alone in what i experienced and how they coped with it. i am a secondary survivor and witness to physical, verbal and emotional abuse. every thanksgiving it comes up. the only person in my family that has witnessed it won't talk to me about it, and i've tried reaching out to my cousin who actually was the one who was abused. i'm not sure he'd be willing to talk about it.

unfortunately, the abuser is a close relative of mine and she and her husband were integral in my upbringing so i have mixed feelings. on one hand i love her. they kept my single mother and brother afloat when we were on food stamps, etc. and she and i have much in common. but i can't believe i witnessed what i did over and over again and i cannot understand WHY a parent would so angrily abuse their child (abuse never happened to me at her hands) but it's now a "family secret" and i have no one who i can talk to about this who witnessed it like i did.

i definitely feel alone. the one person who did witness it, won't discuss it with me.

thanks.

As I am new to the forum I have not navigated enough to find if there is specifically a forum for what you are going through. I think there is a forum for secondary survivors however. I understand how what you experienced can be just as debilitating as being a first hand survivor. Try looking through the site, I'm sure you will be able to find the people who can best relate to you and help you. Best of luck.

[~FOUND~]

Welcome!