You're Not Alone: Surviving Sexual Abuse from a Relative

For PRC and exPRC humans who have survived sexual maltreatment, assault, or rape from an adult relative:  you are not alone. 

You are not alone if you have kept it secret for decades. 

You are not alone if you told trusted confidants, but they said "it couldn't be proven", or that there "is no good reason to tell more people." 

You are not alone if you have been told you are bitter, unforgiving, or unChristian because you have put distance between yourself and the people involved. 

You are not alone if you worry that other people you know and care about are past, current, or future targets of the person who harmed you.   You are not alone in wondering if the damage of silence is becoming more devastating to your loved ones than the damage of going public.  

You are not alone if you have become the Best at Appearing Fine or if you are behaving in unusual or self-harming ways.  You are not alone when you feel grief to realize old or new friends keep their distance because they feel uncomfortable with your Constantly Appearing Fine, or with your messy behaviors.   

You are not alone if you have decided to trust no one, either to tell them your story, or to believe that an offer of help, support, and resources is genuine.  

You are not alone.  What happened to you is not your fault.  How you survive each day with this burden is part of the range of normal survivor responses.  You are so valuable and so brave.  


www.teenvogue.com/story/what-every-incest-survivor-needs-to-know