Not one of these trauma responses invalidates allegations of sexual assault or abuse. Each simply reflects how different nervous systems respond to stress, in this case per sexual trauma.

The hardest conversations aren't always the ones we have with therapists, friends, or family. They're the ones we have with ourselves. And, solitude creates room for those conversations.

If someone can convince themselves that a victimized person made a mistake, then they can believe they would be protected by making different choices. This is a false belief.

Acceptance doesn’t mean approval. It doesn’t mean forgiveness. It doesn't mean forgetting what may be the worst thing we’ve ever endured. Acceptance simply means acknowledging reality.

While some impacts of sexual violence are widely understood, many are not. And it’s those overlooked effects that can quietly shape a victimized person’s health for years.

Recovery begins when we gently allow ourselves to be seen again. First we see ourselves, and then, when ready, we allow others we trust to see us.

Moving away from merely existing and toward truly living means that we start to address the trauma caused by the predator(s) and the sexual violence they committed against us.

Don’t ever think that any of us are too small or weak or unknown to create meaningful societal change. We can start in our own daily lives.

Unfortunately, we’re not educated on the possible harms done to the pelvic floor and medical professionals only go by what they can see [and prove] - not assessing for possibility of unseen damage.

Instead of focusing on mourning, we could celebrate surviving another year. This could look like having cake with candles…

Unsafe people are everywhere, not just lurking in dark corners or fitting some obvious "stranger danger" physical stereotype. In fact, the most dangerous individuals often present themselves as friendly, charming, and deeply empathetic.

Because the burden of proof rests entirely on the state, “innocent until proven guilty” creates a maze of roadblocks and loopholes that allow predators to reoffend again and again. And, this has to stop.

Accepting trauma without traditional justice doesn’t mean forgetting or condoning what was done to us. Instead, it means finding peace where possible and creating meaning despite pain.

Whether you are a survivor or an ally, working together to create safe, informed, and compassionate communities can transform survivorship from a fight for survival into a journey of empowerment and hope.

Experience trauma can cause issues with our digestive tracks. Digesting foods and beverages can be difficult and the wrong foods can make us sick. In this week’s blog, we’re sharing how to potentially ease this difficulty.

The brutal truth is that the world doesn’t stop for survivors. We’re expected to continue to be “socially acceptable” while trying to function despite the trauma. In this week’s blog, we’re sharing helpful ways to feel safe engaging with our bodies and maintain good hygiene.

Being able to function, practice self care, and sustain puts us ‘back on our feet’. And, it can help set the foundation for us to eventually become well enough to successfully engage in society.

Successful care for those of us with suicidal ideation requires the support and help from a licensed, trauma informed mental health professional. In this week’s blog post, we break down what suicidal ideation is and why it’s important to seek help.

We’re not crazy. We’re not making anything up. We’re not helpless. We’re managing trauma.