She Never Told Anyone: For Sexual Abuse Survivors

I have had more women than I can stomach be victims of sexual abuse as children and teens, and sexual assault as adults. These are solid, professional, smart mothers, leaders, wives, daughters. Many sexual abuse survivors carry this alone for years, sometimes decades.

Many of them feel guilty and blame themselves for what happened to them. Not only that, but many experience guilt if consequences were inflicted on the perpetrator.

Some of these women never told anyone before meeting with Ashley and me. Sometimes not even their spouses. Years, decades of keeping it hidden.

They didn't tell their parents when it happened. Many times their parents still don't know.

Aware or unaware, they carry this. Often, they have shared as a result of trying to work through seemingly unrelated triggers that have impacted their relationships as adults. Trust, intimacy, control, communication. It's all connected.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry someone didn't protect you.

I'm sorry someone didn't see what you were going through.

I'm sorry someone didn't believe you and take it seriously if you did speak up, or when you dropped hints because you were too scared to speak up.

I'm sorry you still feel like no one would care.

I'm sorry it feels like it doesn't matter now.

I'm sorry you feel like you have to keep it hidden.

I'm so sorry.

-Chuck

If you're carrying something you've never said out loud, Ashley works with women navigating exactly this. You don't have to keep holding it alone. Reach out here.