Understanding the Impact of Childhood Sexual Abuse
Gain clarity and insight into those unanswered questions you may have about your childhood
Description
Adults who have experienced childhood sexual abuse often have long histories of mental health problems, depression, anxiety, self-harm, debt, broken relationships and loneliness.
Their abusers can be from amongst their community such as religious leaders, teachers, football coaches, but more often the abuse occurs in the home environment where it can be carried out covertly. It is carried out by people who are presumed to be trusted family members such as a parent, grandparent, elder sibling or uncle and where there are opportunities for bath time, bedtime story telling or babysitting. The child can also be being abused by more than one family member.
The abuse can progress from inappropriate touching to more serious forms of sexual assault. It is also the case that the abuse can go on for a number of years, and from which there is no escape.
It is a misconception that those who have experienced childhood sexual abuse then go on to become abusers themselves. Sometimes those who were abused become loners in society and are unable to form emotional bonds necessary for relationships.
However, through personal understanding, counselling and practical support we are able to support those who were abused, learn how to come to terms with what happened to them and how to deal with the impact of the abuse they suffered.
The objective of this course is in some small way to help them to make the journey from where they are now to being a survivor.
What You Will Learn!
- What is child sexual abuse and how it occurs
- Are you having flashbacks, dreams or triggers and how you have coped with them
- Circumstances in which sexual abuse can occur and did it really happen
- Deciding whether to speak up about the abuse and questions you may be asked
- Why does nobody say anything about what happened?
- Some activities to help you get started with talking about what happened
- Who didn't protect you from the abuse when it occurred?
- Wanting to talk about it and seeking help
Who Should Attend!
- Adults who experienced childhood sexual abuse, or have an inkling that it may have happened to them.
- Adults who are experiencing triggers, flashbacks or suppressed memories from their childhood that are beginning to surface
- Adults who have a difficult time with their anger for no obvious reasons
- Partners of someone was has experienced childhood abuse.
- Anyone who wants to know more and maybe help someone they know who opened up to telling them about their childhood