“You were a child. How could it still bother you so much?” You would be surprised to know how frequently I was asked that question in my last relationship. I don’t think people truly understand the lasting scars and effects. Our childhood years are when our minds and personalities are still developing. To have that […]
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Sexual abuse thrives in secrecy. There is an unfair stigma attached to it that leads many survivors to stay silent. It is common for a survivor to turn this silence into shame and to take all blame for the abuse on themselves. Too often, families hide abuse, authorities seem to dismiss it, and there’s an […]
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I’m one of those people who struggles to be kind to myself. I can be a bit of a perfectionist, and I have to work hard to subdue my “shame voice.” It’s not that I don’t have things that I like about myself, because I do. I’m funny. I care about people and try to […]
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A Japanese legend tells the story of a mighty shogun warrior who broke his favorite tea bowl and sent it away for repairs. When he received it back, the bowl was held together by unsightly metal staples. Although he could still use it, the shogun was disappointed. Still hoping to restore his beloved bowl to its former beauty, he asked a […]
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Here at The Younique Foundation we are often asked: How can I help? What are ways that I can give? As a nonprofit public charity, we rely on your generosity and kindness to help us continue to provide survivors with the tools, education, and support they need to heal from child sexual abuse. What you […]
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The twinkling lights and smell of pine. Soft scarves and warm food. Music and laughter. The hustle and bustle of the holidays can be fun and exciting. Sometimes though the holiday season can present overwhelming emotions and triggering moments. Holidays and family get-togethers can be trying for anyone, but for survivors of child sexual abuse […]
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Guest blog post written by Parivash Goff Writing a Future Vision Statement lingered in the back of Valentina’s mind. She wanted to try it, but each time she sat down to do it, emotions bubbled up. Excitement. Anxiety. Hope. Nervousness. She had an idea of what she wanted her future to look like, but it […]
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The #MeToo movement in 2017 generated a worldwide discussion around the experiences of sexual harassment, assault, and abuse in our society. During the first 24 hours alone, nearly 500,000 people tweeted that they, in some form, had been the victims of sexual violence […]
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On your healing journey, you may come across people who react to your experiences in inappropriate or even hurtful ways. These reactions, whether intentional or not, might make you feel self-conscious, embarrassed, or discouraged. They might make you feel judged or criticized. A painful reaction when you disclose your abuse may lead to a setback […]
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Guest blog post written by Jessica Bradley, LMHC Over the past few years, I’ve had the great pleasure to teach and discuss various topics with trauma survivors—shame, forgiveness, sexuality, etc. After discussing different communication styles, rights, and methods in an assertive communication class, a woman in her fifties shared, “Jessica, I keep hearing this word […]
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Your body houses some of the most remarkable machinery found on our planet. Supported by over 650 muscles throughout your body, you can jump, run, read, walk, eat, react to danger, and move to the beat of your favorite song. Muscles work by receiving signals from your brain. In return, your muscles send signals back […]
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