When we consider the years of childhood, we typically think about a span of time filled with friends, laughter, and playtime with friends. Toys, bikes, and games are the primary ingredients of joy to children around the world.
However, when wrongful “adult games” intersect with childhood, the innocence in children’s fun and laughter is suddenly boxed up and set aside—perhaps for many years. Sexual assault on children often leaves a lifetime of internal scaring on the minds and emotions of its adult survivors.
Somber Findings
According to RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), every nine minutes, a child is sexually assaulted in the U.S.1 These children then grow up with after-effects and memories of traumatic abuse not easily forgotten.
As an adult survivor of abuse, you may think you’ve moved past the trauma of that time in your life. It’s a hurtful memory that happened long ago, but you think you should be “over it” by now.
Contrary to a popular saying—the passing of time doesn’t actually heal all wounds.
In fact, studies have shown several long-term effects of childhood sexual abuse including:
- Guilt, shame, or blame
- Intimacy & relationship problems
- Low self-esteem
- Depression
- Sleep disturbances/nightmares
- Trust issues/feelings of betrayal
- Re-victimization
- Flashbacks of the trauma
Help Toward Healing
Getting beyond the hurt—to healing—involves numerous methods of restoration. RAINN suggests the following considerations of physical and emotional “self-care” when it comes to post-traumatic healing:
Physical self-care is finding those things that bring comfort and support to your bodily well-being. Ask yourself which healthy food items, exercise/activities, and places of relaxation bring supportive aspects to you in a physical way.
A few activities might include involvement in a book club or study group of your liking. Spending a day or two each week reading in a library or quiet place may be helpful. Or you may find that working with your hands through gardening or cooking to be peaceful, creative, and relaxing ways to occupy time and mindset.
Emotional self-care is finding emotional outlets that offer support to your emotional health. Think of friends, family members, and other supportive individuals in your circle of acquaintances who could be beneficial to your mental well-being as you recover from traumatic memories and experiences that were painful.
You may also want to consider counseling groups. Group therapy offers the opportunity to talk with others who have had similar experiences of trauma. This may help you get in touch with your thoughts and feelings about your traumatic experience and consider ways to move forward from it. Check this link to find groups near you. Establishing yourself with a therapist or other mental health professional for individual counseling would also fit in this category of emotional support.
Reading books, listening to podcasts, or enjoying music are more great ways to get in touch with your feelings and thought patterns. Journaling and studying Scripture daily can be highly beneficial as well. God is faithful to provide comfort for our emotional wounds and give direction as we move through life in healthy relationships.
Healing from traumatic experiences such as sexual assault is possible, but it does require time. Just as physical wounds take days, weeks, or longer before recovery is noticed—the same is true for emotional healing. Trusting that God can bring about well-being and hope for the future is the first important step in moving forward.