Support for survivors of sexual abuse
You are not what happened to you. You are what you choose to become
Sexual abuse counselling isn’t about reliving the trauma of what happened, but reclaiming your sense of self & recovering from what has happened.
Though the impacts of sexual abuse can often feel as if they are never going to end, counselling is a positive step you can take in reducing these impacts & taking back the power & control of your life.
It takes courage to make the first step in seeking support, but it can also be the first step in reclaiming your identity & being able to move on from what has happened.
As a survivor of sexual abuse, you are NOT responsible for what happened, but you are responsible for what steps you take now to recover from what has happened.
Recovery from sexual abuse is possible, but it is up to you to take the first step.
We specialise in supporting people with trauma & offer techniques such as EMDR to assist you to leave trauma in the past.
You are a survivor because of your light & the fire that burns within you.
Let it shine brightly & hand back the shame which belongs NOT with you,
but with the person who harmed you.
Sexual abuse is:
-
When someone in a position of power or authority takes advantage of a person’s trust and respect to involve them in sexual activity.
-
Involves ANY unwanted sexual act or behaviour which is threatening, violent, forced or coercive where a person has not given consent or was not able to give consent.
-
Does not have to include contact, but can also include sexual harassment through inappropriate sexual comments, voyeurism (someone exposing themselves to you) or making someone watch a sexual act or pornography.
"I believe you"
- the most important message you can give to someone who discloses sexual abuse
Impacts of sexual abuse
-
Nightmares, flashbacks, fear of the dark or confined spaces
-
Body image issues
-
Not feeling safe in your body, with people or the world
-
Addictions, eating disorders, having to always keep busy or compulsive cleaning
-
Self-harm (cutting, burning, etc.) ; self-destructiveness; risk-taking
-
Phobias, panic, anxiety
-
Need to be invisible or perfect
-
Depression, anger, grief, guilt, fear
-
Feeling numb or disconnected from your body
-
Feeling you have to always be watching /alert for possible danger
-
Difficulty trusting yourself & others
-
Fear of change/unpredictability
-
Feeling a lack of control/power
-
Sexual issues (aversion to sex, pain during sex, sexuality confusion, struggles with intimacy/touch)
-
Feeling damaged/worthless/different or that something is wrong with you
-
Relationship issues (difficulty connecting with others or finding yourself in relationships where you may be used/abused)
-
Difficulty saying no or setting limits with others