Posted by DaisyM on April 15, 2004, at 19:20:46
In reply to Re: Sexual abuse - does molestation count?, posted by sjb on April 15, 2004, at 9:01:52
sjb,
Your family's reaction is not unusual. This is why so many victims DON'T tell anyone, even as adults. When it is a family member you often have to choose between a relationship in the here and now, letting go of the past, or no contact with your family...or at least that member. People don't know what to say or how to act and ultimately they feel divided.
I've been working on my childhood abuse trauma for a little less than a year. We are off and on using the "Courage to Heal" workbook. There is a text as well. There is a chapter about families that you might find helpful. Not all of the book applies and I've found it really difficult to read, which is why we are using the workbook. I DON'T recommend it unless you are working with a Therapist who knows how to work with trauma victims as it is immensely triggering. But I did find it helpful to know what I was going through was "normal" if I can use that word.
The ripple effects of abuse are like an insidious poison that seems to spread over and on to everything and everyone in your life. It takes a great deal of courage and a ton of support to work through it. I hope you can find some support here for what you are going through. It isn't easy.
poster:DaisyM
thread:336255
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20040409/msgs/336720.html