Re-Air: Ep. 64 - My Childhood Sexual Abuse
Description
I was sexually abused as a child and it still impacts me at almost 60 years old. It took me a long time to be able to tell this story and to look back at the psychological impact that these terrible experiences had on me. It was a confusing time where I lost so much of myself, but telling this story has been cathartic. If you need help there are resources below.
Key Takeaways:
[2:45 ] My mom was a stay at home mother and my dad worked a lot
[4:20 ] First instance of sexual abuse
[6:46 ] It happening again and feeling terrible for not saying anything
[9:40 ] First physical incident and the fear it created in me
[14:28 ] Being abused constantly in 5th grade
[18:04 ] Setting fire to my clothing
[19:07 ] My social life began to tank in 5th grade
[21:30 ] Being aware of my sexuality
[23:35 ] Being abused again, but having a better understanding
[25:07 ] Going to the ER for asthma and feeling safe in the hospital
[26:32 ] Being abused in 6th grade and hypervigilance
[28:59 ] Having to get my siblings ready in the morning
[31:08 ] Beginning to understand the full scope of sexual abuse
[33:16 ] The last abuse attempt and telling my mom
[35:23 ] Looking back on the psychological changes in me
[37:41 ] Family history of abuse and generational trauma
[39:41 ] Struggling with sleeping with a lot of people in my early twenties
[42:54 ] Isolating myself, depression, and exhaustion
[45:14 ] Reexperiencing trauma and hypervigilance
[47:14 ] Parental support helped save me
[47:44 ] My response to sexual abuse
[50:41 ] How being abused affected my parenting
[52:33 ] Getting very sick in the hospital and not eating
[53:59 ] The good and the bad in my life
[56:18 ] Releasing these words is cathartic to me
[57:14 ] Victims are not at fault for being assaulted
[57:39 ] Losing parts of myself, but continuing to push forward
Resources:
Connect with Barb:
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