Dahlia29

Hi @Haze_D Your poetry is always so powerful and strong! In reading the caption about the conversation with the therapist, I was reminded of an exercise someone on the AS board suggested to me. She said that it had helped her to write her own story out and then to try to read it as if it was someone else's, not her own. I am going to try this, too. I don't really know why, as survivors of sexual abuse, it is so much easier to feel anger on the behalf of others. But maybe this is part of a process and maybe as you continue on in your healing journey, you will strip down more layers and find new

Thank you, @8888. I appreciate the response and I’m finally starting to figure out the site. It means a lot to have this new kind of support. I posted my “story” finally and it was therapeutic to hear from others that I have a right to tell it and to seek help. I felt for so long that I had a secret that made me different than other people and it’s been amazing to know that in reality I’m not alone, and to get suggestions for self compassion. I feel so much compassion for others on this site!

@Haze_D This is so powerful. I love this poem you wrote and also "Memories and Holes." I relate so much to your experience of needing to feel that what was happening to you was a "love story." As you know, from my recently posted story (thank you so much for your kind response!), I had a similar experience as yours when I was thirteen but I stayed with my abuser for a much longer time. I was with him for five years. I feel like your description of the first time is so similar to mine, but my abuser didn't even say he loved me at first. He just acknowledged my having told him I loved him by hav

@ayame Hello, and welcome! I am new here as well and can relate to the nerves. I'm so sorry for what happened to you and I'm glad you're taking the step to talk about your experience in this safe place, when you are ready. Wishing you the joy and light that you deserve. Dahlia29

Thank so much, Finchy, for your warm welcome and for sharing a little bit about your own experience. I’m glad to be here but I feel it will take me a little time to figure out how to navigate this website and access private forums. All best, Dahlia29

Hi Everyone, I’m new to this group and this is the first time I’ve reached out to try and connect with other survivors of childhood sexual abuse. I’ve read countless stories on social media since the MeToo movement went viral, and I’ve felt inspired, even compelled, to share my own, but I always worried my story was too complicated or too hard to explain. Lately I’ve been struggling to come to terms w/ my past, however, and thought this might be a safe place to get support and feedback. The first step for me has been to actually acknowledge I am a survivor in the first place. I was 13 at