Well here goes. I’m a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. I was physically emotionally and sexually abused by my mother. I never told a soul until triggered at the age of 39 by the birth of my son. He looked just like me and seeing that helpless baby boy rocked my world. It has touched every corner of my life. Everything from an eating disorder to suicide attempts to being a hustler selling myself in a search for a way to take control over my body. I carry much shame around all of this but am proud that I never [...]

In 1974, at the age of 14, I was abducted, beaten and raped by a stranger, a recidivist sexual predator hunting for boys in my childhood hometown of Lincoln, Rhode Island. I’m writing not to tell my story, but to share what I’ve learned in conversations and discussions with hundreds of survivors over the past ten years, to introduce you to my ‘5 Steps You Can Take to Keep Kids Safe,’ and to dive deep into Step 3, Know What To Do. My 5 Steps to Keep Kids Safe are 1. Know the facts 2. Know the signs 3. Know [...]

I was born into a family that did not know how to cope with their pain. My father was an abusive alcoholic. We got relief when he would work out of town. When he was home, we all walked on eggshells. We didn’t know when the explosion might occur. I don’t remember when the sexual abuse started. I know it was pre-verbal. I carry memories of being a baby and being in pain and feeling very alone. I am certain my brother was also abused. How else would he know to abuse me, especially at such a young age. when [...]

April is Child Abuse National Prevention Month. During April, Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance (PFSA) undertakes a multi-tiered effort to encourage Pennsylvanians to get a clearer picture of the tragedy of child abuse and what role they can play in preventing it. PFSA believes that every citizen in Pennsylvania has a vital role to play in protecting our children. This center is designed to help you do just that! It’s a complex problem and the child welfare system is also complicated. They want to help you understand the issues, communicate with key legislative leaders and use your voice to ensure the safety [...]

Teresa is an advocate for Prevent Child Abuse Vermont, and a child abuse victim herself.  It's been almost 30 years since she moved to Vermont and away from a life she swore she'd leave behind. "There was a lot of physical and sexual abuse, all in relation to my surroundings," says Teresa.  "There was probably between 7 and 10 abuse cases that I went through...stepfather, uncle, neighbors, friends of friends." Teresa teaches the nurturing program, offered through Prevent Child Abuse Vermont, an advocacy group geared towards stopping child abuse before it happens. "It teaches parents empathy and learning from past behaviors [...]

April is Child Abuse Awareness month, a time to recognize that we can each play a part in promoting the social and emotional wellbeing of children and families of our community.  After all, child abuse and neglect is 100% preventable. Every year volunteers and advocates plant pinwheel gardens in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month. The pinwheel gardens are our promise to children that we are all working to make our community a safe and nurturing place for them and families to grow and flourish. Our pinwheel gardens are a great visible reminder to us all. Children hold the future [...]

Adult survivors of childhood trauma and child abuse share personal stories of recovery to help break down isolation and give hope and optimism. Read these stories here: https://www.blueknot.org.au/Survivors-Supporters/For-Survivors/Survivor-Stories

"Forgiveness is to me a paradox. Sometimes it seems like the penultimate step in moving on. Sometimes I think that forgiveness is more than abusers deserve. Sometimes I don’t know whom to forgive." Read Clare's story: https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/narratives/clares-story

The following are real case studies which have been identified to protect the privacy of the children involved. Please take a moment to read how vulnerable lives can be turned around with the help of intensive therapy: https://www.actforkids.com.au/stories/