Stories

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Thank you for joining our community of 293,081 supporters. Together we can make a wave of change.

1,288

1,288 supporters thanked a survivor for sharing their story.

514

514 visitors found stories that made them feel hopeful.

569

569 visitors found stories and experiences they can relate to.

2,112

2,112 supporters shared a message with a survivor that they are not alone.
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#878

You are valid and you are so very strong. There’s a reason why you’re called a survivor - you survived some very traumatic experiences. Be patient and kind to yourself during your healing journey<3 I’m rooting for you!!

Survivor

If you are reading this please know you are not alone. When I was 15 years old and had just gotten back from eating disorder treatment, I was lonely, lost, and vulnerable. I had zero sexual experience, in fact I had never had my first kiss yet. One night I went to a small party, and drank a lot without knowing my limits because I had never drank before. Long story short, I blacked out and only remember bits and pieces of the night. Unfortunately I have a few memories that I can never forget. A completely sober boy came to the party and ended u...

#876

The summer before fifth grade, me and my brothers decided to have a sleepover in the living room. I always had the hardest time falling asleep, so I was the last one up. Or at least I thought I was. My oldest brother, who is 15 months older, came and sat by my feet. He somehow brought up his genitals, I honestly don’t remember the conversation, I just remember being uncomfortable. Then, he pulled down his pants and started touching himself. He then started touching my genitals too. I didn’t know what to do. So I just sat there. I still don’t k...

Taking ‘time for yourself’ does not always mean spending the day at the spa. Mental health may also mean it is ok to set boundaries, to recognize your emotions, to prioritize sleep, to find peace in being still. I hope you take time for yourself today, in the way you need it most.

name

Healing to me means understanding that after a major trauma, there is no going back to the old normal. This is the hard truth. Trauma creates a major life disruption. Full stop.
But the real healing is learning to find a new normal, not papering over, or trying to pretend you are the old you. It is learning to accept this new you, warts, scars, and all. The new you might be different but still amazing.

I once was lost but now I'm found

A message to another survivor: I am living proof that healthy relationships with self and others are possible! I used to feel cursed and now I feel blessed. Keep going, you got this. If anyone can do it, it's you.

Name and Virtual Trauma

I've never done something like this before. Sharing my story anonymously on the internet isn't something I would have considered before. But I have few friends, and no one I feel comfortable talking about these things with, either because I don't know them quite well enough, or because I can't stand the thought of telling them about my own failings that lead to these situations.

#830

Don't matter what you are or do, you are in charge of your life. There is still hope.

#871

You are more than a conqueror and you are more than what happened to you. As heartbreaking and traumatic your experience was, it does not define who you are and created to be.

You are surviving and that is enough.

#870

I also believe in hope, and in your strength. I got out of a violent, abusive marriage despite the fact few people believed my story at first. Don't worry about proving anything, just take the next step to help yourself heal, you are worth it, and deserve peace.

224

I believe in you I believe that you have another courage to speak up and get justice if that’s what you want you deserve justice even if you think you don’t

#868

I think I am a victim of COCSA. I've only told two people of this and they are my closest friends that I am associated with and that I love dearly, they mean the absolute world to me, and they have told me that I am. When I was a child, about 5 or so, my family brought me to my cousins house. (I don't remember how old he was or exactly how old I was, just that we were young) That night we were doing the usual things kids do, sitting on the couch watching a movie and playing games with his siblings, until he grabbed my hand and said, "Come here...

The red flags were always there. But, we were all kids.

The memories won't go away if you push them away.

Formation

“I have learned to abound in the joy of the small things...and God, the kindness of people. Strangers, teachers, friends. Sometimes it doesn’t feel like it, but there is good in the world, and this gives me hope too.”

1 new update

hopeful for a fresh start

i haven't even started my own journey yet. if I were to give advice, it would be to be patient with yourself and don't push yourself to admit things that you're not ready to. it took me many months of talking it thru with my therapist and ongoing discussions to even utter the words "abuse". and even longer to fathom that I had been thru sexual trauma.

My Life in a Nutshell

This is my life story, well, at least the major events that come to mind. There are aspects of my life that I have either blocked out or chosen not to remember. When I was about 5 years old, my grandfather on my mother’s side started molesting me. It went on for a while, and I vividly remember crying to my mom, begging her not to make me go back there one weekend. In response, she looked at me and asked if my grandfather was touching me. I mustered the courage to say yes, hoping for support. To my dismay, she told me that my grandfather was si...

When a Safe Space Shatters: Why Adults May Not Believe a Young Person's Abuse Story

"When a Safe Space Shatters: Why Adults May Not Believe a Young Person's Abuse Story" delves into the complex dynamics surrounding the disbelief of young individuals who disclose abuse, particularly when it involves sexual abuse. It highlights the psychological phenomenon of cognitive dissonance, where individuals struggle to reconcile the shocking truth of abuse with their preconceived notions of the perpetrator and their family. This internal conflict often leads to denial, even in the face of evidence.

Please help us

Narzissten wollen nicht heilen, sie wollen zerstören, sie haben die Verbindung zu sich selber verloren, vor allem zu Gott.
Materialismus, Profitgier, auf dem Rücken der Arbeitnehmer, jeden Tag ist eine Ambulanz vor den Türen, die Mitarbeiter sind so erschöpft, dass manche mit der Ambulanz abgeholt werden müssen und es wird immer schlimmer.

Trauma

You are not alone

“You are the author of your own story. Your story is yours and yours alone despite your experiences.”

Name

I was sexually assaulted by a soldier that was a coworker while I was at work by myself. I did not want to report because of the abuse I’d been (still am) experiencing from my supervisor. Eventually it was reported correctly but it brought on more abuse at work. My story is not over. I have PTSD now. I pray one day the continued abuse will stop and I’ll be able to work safely.

We have to make universities safe for students, staff and faculty to study and work there as it is intended.

One doesn’t think that sexual abuse occurs at a major university, a place of higher learning, but it does and they will do everything they can to conceal it from the public.
Statistics demonstrate that academia is the 2nd highest sector of sexual harassment and assault. I spoke up to protect me, colleague, and my students. But when the perpetrator is another professor and the dean himself is accused twice of sexual harassment, what does the university do? They bully, retaliate, deny promotion no matter how many accolades and will change the...

Just the beginning.

I don't have very clear memories from my childhood and high school years so this might be a bit scattered or lacking detail. I have often had a complicated relationship with intimacy and men. I don't know when or why it started, but I have never truly valued myself the way I should, and thus let others value me even less. I have always been shy and a bit awkward, so when boys started to take an interest in me during high school, I guess I just ran with it. I had a friend in high school who would often make sexual advances to me. I had liked hi...

Name, State.

It floats hope is a positive emotion we all fill

The Fear That Follows Me by Survivor Name

Don't wait until you get to your breaking point, and hold the adults who should have protected you accountable for their negligence to intervene. You have the power to end the cycle. Being silent is what your harasser wants; they want you to become a shell.

We believe in you. You are strong.

Name

Keep going no matter what happens.

I thought he really cared

Healing means sitting with the reality of what happened and feeling those feelings of disgust, horror, terror, and anger without running from them

1 new update

Name

At this point, I'm not sure. Being able to attract healthy men that wouldn't dream of doing something so vile.

1 new update

#499

I didn’t know other people experienced the same thing until today. This may have been the most healing thing to ever happen to me to know that I’m not completely alone.

#851

Healing is leaving

“Healing means forgiving myself for all the things I may have gotten wrong in the moment.”

(Former) Administrative Assistant @ University

You are not alone. You deserve to be believed. Don’t waste time and energy trying to figure out why. When they show you who they are believe them. Document document document. If you can, record it (but check your state laws first). If you are able, get an attorney - many will do free consultations. Don’t ever trust HR, they are not there for you!!! They are there to protect the company at all costs. If you can’t hire an attorney, familiarize yourself with your state labor laws. Get support. Use your voice! Tell your story! God saw everything....

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