Hi, I’m new here :)

[Suntosea]

Hi guys,

I hope you are all okay. I feel nervous about opening up, however I’m relieved we have this community here.

I’m a young adult and childhood abuse survivor-  *TW* I experienced a lot of CSA from my parents and have a wonderful therapist that’s helping me through healing.

For a long time I felt so alone with what I’d experienced because CSA is often such a hush hush topic. I’m beginning to feel like there’s hope in healing and that the shame I feel is no longer as strong. Even though I know that it’s not my shame to carry.

Anyway, I guess I’m relieved to have found a place where we can relate to one another.

lots of love xx

[Finchy]

Hello and welcome to AS, @Suntosea.  I'm glad you found your way here! 

I'm sorry for what you've experienced, though. CSA is a horrendous thing to go through. I can relate, as can many others here, unfortunately. But the good thing is that you're not alone now...you'll meet a lot of very friendly and supportive people here. It sounds like you're doing a good job with healing, thanks to your therapist. We'll help you to heal more, too. 

Best wishes. ❤️ 

-Finchy

[Suntosea]

Hi thanks for the warm welcome, @Finchy. Sorry to hear that you and many others can relate to CSA- it is awful! Thanks- is there a space where we can go into a bit of detail with what we’ve experienced at AS, please? I want to open up and be there for others, although only in the right place! 
 

Warmest,

Suntosea ❤️

[Finchy]

3 minutes ago, Suntosea said:

Hi thanks for the warm welcome, @Finchy. Sorry to hear that you and many others can relate to CSA- it is awful! Thanks- is there a space where we can go into a bit of detail with what we’ve experienced at AS, please? I want to open up and be there for others, although only in the right place! 
 

Warmest,

Suntosea ❤️

Yes, we have a couple of places where you can go into more details...

Firstly, we have the Different Types of SA forum. If you scroll through, you might see a topic that relates to your experience. http://www.aftersilence.org/forum/index.php?/forum/97-sexual-assault-different-types/

If you don't see a place where your story would fit, you can start your own thread in Aftermath, with appropriate trigger warnings, to discuss what you went through. http://www.aftersilence.org/forum/index.php?/forum/30-the-aftermath/ 

Once you hit 10 posts, you'll have access to a hidden forum called Share Your Story. That is the most secure place where you can share your experience. If you feel like you would want to go into a lot of details, I suggest waiting to post there. Aftermath is good for some details, which is why I suggested it, too. But again, a lot of details, SYS is best...again, with proper TW's.

I hope that helps! ❤️ 

[MeBeMary]

Hi Suntosea and welcome.

I am very sorry for what you experienced when you were younger. It was unfair and undeserved. Nobody has the right to hurt others this way. You have found a very supportive community with many understanding, kind and validating members. You are not alone. 

It is such a positive thing that you feel the shame lifting. We often feel it, yet it is so undeserved. It's a real power move to find your way to let it go. 

Feel free to look around ( @Finchy gave some good suggestions on where to start). Know we are here for you, when you are ready. 

Wishing you many forward steps on this path we call healing.

Mary

[Sleepographer]

@Suntosea welcome ( :

i'm also recently new here and very grateful for it. i hope it helps you to be here, like it helps me.

i'm glad to hear that you've already made important progress on the path to recovery, and that you have a supportive t. i'm so sorry for what you've been through. i'll try to support you however i can. you deserve support.

 

[Patti72]

Welcome to AS suntosea. 

Take care Patti 

[Dawn76]

Hi, welcome to AS!

 

[uk63]

Hi @Suntosea,please take care .really sorry you have experienced csa ,i am pleased that you found AS .

      Regards uk63 

 

[rainbowunicorn]

Welcome! 

[SociallyAwkward]

You should have been loved and protected by your parents. Not abused. That’s such a horrible way to grow up. I’m so sorry you had to go through that.

follow what @Finchy said. Get 10 posts and talk about anything you want in the share your story section. The most secure place to put it.

[missfrier]

Dear suntosea

 

Welcome to After Silence. I am sorry to hear of the trauma you have been through!

 

Being here has helped me so much. Everyone is so caring and supportive here. I am proud of you for reaching out. I know that is hard to do. I also know that you will find that needed compassion and support here within our community. Know we are here for you and we will listen whenever you would like to lean on us.    

 

Take care and please do not hesitate to ask for any help if you ever need it.  

[Suntosea]

On 7/1/2023 at 4:27 AM, Finchy said:

Yes, we have a couple of places where you can go into more details...

Firstly, we have the Different Types of SA forum. If you scroll through, you might see a topic that relates to your experience. http://www.aftersilence.org/forum/index.php?/forum/97-sexual-assault-different-types/

If you don't see a place where your story would fit, you can start your own thread in Aftermath, with appropriate trigger warnings, to discuss what you went through. http://www.aftersilence.org/forum/index.php?/forum/30-the-aftermath/ 

Once you hit 10 posts, you'll have access to a hidden forum called Share Your Story. That is the most secure place where you can share your experience. If you feel like you would want to go into a lot of details, I suggest waiting to post there. Aftermath is good for some details, which is why I suggested it, too. But again, a lot of details, SYS is best...again, with proper TW's.

I hope that helps! ❤️ 

Thanks so much, very helpful, Finchy ❤️

[Suntosea]

@missfrier  @SociallyAwkward @rainbowunicorn @uk63 @Dawn76 @Patti72 @Sleepographer @MeBeMary @Finchy Hi 😊 thanks so much for the warm welcome- I just did a little inhale that I guess was a mixture of relief, gratitude, and simply a ‘wow’. I really appreciate the support and I want to be here for you guys, too. I’m so used to being the “strong one” and figuring things out for myself (I have loved ones irl although sometimes go it alone) that it’s so nice to know I’m supported here. 
 

Sending you lots of love x

[Suntosea]

2 hours ago, missfrier said:

Dear suntosea

 

Welcome to After Silence. I am sorry to hear of the trauma you have been through!

 

Being here has helped me so much. Everyone is so caring and supportive here. I am proud of you for reaching out. I know that is hard to do. I also know that you will find that needed compassion and support here within our community. Know we are here for you and we will listen whenever you would like to lean on us.    

 

Take care and please do not hesitate to ask for any help if you ever need it.  

Dear Missfrier,

it sounds like AS has been such a big help for you. Likewise, if anyone needs support I’m here if I can. 
 

I’m sorry to hear about your trauma, too. It’s can be such a long road to recovery, so I’m glad you’ve found After Silence to help shorten the journey, too! 

[Suntosea]

4 hours ago, SociallyAwkward said:

You should have been loved and protected by your parents. Not abused. That’s such a horrible way to grow up. I’m so sorry you had to go through that.

follow what @Finchy said. Get 10 posts and talk about anything you want in the share your story section. The most secure place to put it.

Thanks, yes I should. Thanks, it was definitely awful. Thanks for the advice. Sending lots of love 

[Suntosea]

7 hours ago, rainbowunicorn said:

Welcome! 

Thanks! 

[Suntosea]

20 hours ago, uk63 said:

Hi @Suntosea,please take care .really sorry you have experienced csa ,i am pleased that you found AS .

      Regards uk63 

 

Hi, thanks! Nice to meet you 

[Suntosea]

On 7/1/2023 at 10:55 AM, Dawn76 said:

Hi, welcome to AS!

 

Hi, Dawn!

[Suntosea]

On 7/1/2023 at 6:16 AM, Patti72 said:

Welcome to AS suntosea. 

Take care Patti 

Thanks, Patti, sending love 

[Suntosea]

On 7/1/2023 at 6:02 AM, Sleepographer said:

@Suntosea welcome ( :

i'm also recently new here and very grateful for it. i hope it helps you to be here, like it helps me.

i'm glad to hear that you've already made important progress on the path to recovery, and that you have a supportive t. i'm so sorry for what you've been through. i'll try to support you however i can. you deserve support.

 

Thanks  and welcome to you  I already feel so supported, do you have a supportive t? I hope so. 

[Suntosea]

On 7/1/2023 at 5:52 AM, MeBeMary said:

Hi Suntosea and welcome.

I am very sorry for what you experienced when you were younger. It was unfair and undeserved. Nobody has the right to hurt others this way. You have found a very supportive community with many understanding, kind and validating members. You are not alone. 

It is such a positive thing that you feel the shame lifting. We often feel it, yet it is so undeserved. It's a real power move to find your way to let it go. 

Feel free to look around ( @Finchy gave some good suggestions on where to start). Know we are here for you, when you are ready. 

Wishing you many forward steps on this path we call healing.

Mary

Hi Mary,

I like the I support U emoji   

it was awful what I went through and I’m working on making sense of it- trauma seems to be such a confusing thing. 

I hadn’t thought of it as a power move before, that’s cool. 

i appreciate the support and wishing you healing, too.

Suntosea ❤️

[Sleepographer]

@Suntosea i don't have a therapist. professional talk therapy is a consideration but i'm not currently inclined toward it. though, i'm actively seeking a suitable emdr therapist to begin that process.

 

[Suntosea]

10 minutes ago, Sleepographer said:

@Suntosea i don't have a therapist. professional talk therapy is a consideration but i'm not currently inclined toward it. though, i'm actively seeking a suitable emdr therapist to begin that process.

 

Ah, oops. I hope emdr goes well for you- I’ve heard it’s so helpful for many people. 

[Sleepographer]

@Suntosea thanks ( :

[S_Sundance]

Hi @Santos. You fit right in with us as we suffer into contentment.

[Maya20]

Welcome!!!! It’s a safe place I hope you feel the compassion and care you need.