Sexual Abuse Survivors

Sexual abuse survivors have one thing in common—all have experienced something that changed the way they live in the world. In my memoir, Following the Whispers,I chronicle how drastically my world changed because I belonged to the group of sexual abuse survivors who remained alive but did not function in a healthy, life-affirming way.

Sexual abuse survivors know that to survive means to remain alive; to carry on despite hardships; to remain functional; and to cope with trauma. Sexual abuse survivors certainly remain alive, but how they carry on, how functional they remain, and how well they cope varies considerably.

In addition to sexual abuse, I was brought up by parents who raised me as they were raised. That meant I suffered emotional and psychological damage as a result of their behavior. But they didn’t know what they were doing and did the best they could with what they had, so I no longer blame them. Being a member of the “sexual abuse survivors club,” I proceeded to make bad relationship choices, suffered from low self-esteem, had no career ambitions, and deep down inside, believed I was stupid, ugly and no good to anyone.

Sexual abuse survivors know that to survive also means to persevere. To do that well, one has to find reasons for problems and ways to change those problems into positive outcomes. Today, I’m following the whispers towards a wonderful, fulfilling future. Many sexual abuse survivors learn to overcome their negative characteristics. In Following the Whispers see how I did just that. It may sound odd that I am grateful to be among the sexual abuse survivors. But if not for that group of sexual abuse survivors, perhaps I’d still be stuck feeling bad about myself.

Want to know more about sexual abuse survivors? Get your copy of Following the Whispers today!