Hello

[I believe in ME]

Hello. I am new to After Silence. My therapist recommended that it would be a good part of my healing journey to try and connect with other survivors. I have been in therapy for close to 10 years now healing from childhood sexual abuse. Late last year I confronted my abuser. It’s been a struggle because some family members aren’t as supportive as I would of hoped they would of been. Sometimes I do feel like I am alone because it’s hard to describe to others exactly how it feels to be traumatized by sexual abuse. I wanted to first say thank you to After Silence for letting me join and thank you for letting me share a little bit of my story. 

[8888]

Welcome @I believe in ME  to After Silence.  I’m sorry for what brought you here but I’m happy you are here reaching out for support.  Good job taking this step in your healing process.  You are not alone and what happened to you wasn’t your fault.  Great job confronting your abuser.  I'm sorry to hear your family wasn't as supportive as you had hoped.  Take your time exploring here and post when you are ready.  If you have any questions feel free to message me. 

[goldraindrops]

Dear @I believe in ME

Welcome to After Silence.

I'm sorry for the experiences that brought you to us, but your therapist is right.  This is a kind and supportive community full of people who understand and can relate to what you've been through.  For myself, it's been a big comfort to be here and connect with other survivors.  It is tough with family and friends.  I think many of them mean well, but for a variety of reasons, don't know how to respond or don't care enough to support us.  There is something uniquely special about connecting with other people who have been through what we have.

Wishing you the best,

Gold Raindrops

[MeBeMary]

2 hours ago, I believe in ME said:

Hello. I am new to After Silence. My therapist recommended that it would be a good part of my healing journey to try and connect with other survivors. I have been in therapy for close to 10 years now healing from childhood sexual abuse. Late last year I confronted my abuser. It’s been a struggle because some family members aren’t as supportive as I would of hoped they would of been. Sometimes I do feel like I am alone because it’s hard to describe to others exactly how it feels to be traumatized by sexual abuse. I wanted to first say thank you to After Silence for letting me join and thank you for letting me share a little bit of my story. 

Hi I believe in ME,

First of all, I the user name you have chosen. It's promotes some positivity, even if issues we deal with can be on the more difficult side. Anyway, welcome to AfterSilence. I am sorry for what you experienced as a child, but you will find support and understanding here.

It always saddens me when support cannot be found within the family or even with friends. Many do not have the capabilities to understand, but often time they rather not dwell on it for their own reasons. They do not realize we do not "dwell" on it ourselves, but battle thru struggles we cannot avoid. They are there and we deal with them, or things never get better.

I am glad your therapist encouraged you to reach out. You and your experience matter and you deserve to have a safe place to interact and know you are validated. Wishing you the best as you continue to move forward on this journey we call healing.

Mary

 

[missfrier]

Dear  I. Believe in me 

I am sorry for all that you have been through.   You have been so brave in reaching out to us, please know that this is never easy!   We are all here for you and we want to support you.  You're not alone in your healing journey and are always welcome to lean on us for extra support.  You can post as much or as little as you like.  We are here to support you in the way you need.  I have found this community to be very helpful.  Everyone is so understanding and non-judgmental and I am hoping you feel the same way once you've gotten to know us a little.   

All my best,
missfrier

[Poppy_]

Hi, @I believe in ME - 

Welcome to After Silence! Like you, my T also recommended me to this site! I was very apprehensive to join at first, but I am really glad I did. It has been such a wonderful thing in my life and I hope it's the same for you too   I'm so sorry that your family members were unsupportive. I hope that you are able to find the support you need and deserve through this community. I know it's hard to communicate how it feels to deal with sexual trauma, but I do want you to know that you are NOT alone. We hear you and we understand the pain. 

If you need anything, please don't ever hesitate to reach out to me. I'm just a quick message away any time! 

Wishing you all the best,
Poppy

[I believe in ME]

Thank you everyone for the warm welcome. It is greatly appreciated.