THE EFFECTS OF CHILD ABUSE CAN (and will) DESTROY YOUR LIFE IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER
You have already survived, now you just have to recover. The main purpose for this entire program is to implore you, young men and boys, who were abused to get help and deal with what has happened.
Maybe you can't connect with people? Maybe you drink too much? Even the subtle effects can harm your life. What has happened to you, whether it was mental, physical, sexual, or witnessing of abuse will affect you. You did not deserve it or ask for it but at some point, all that pain will manifest. If you do not grow up to abuse others, you are very likely to abuse or harm yourself. It is a terrible thing, but you are left with damage that must be repaired. You do not really want to take the chance of putting someone through what you have been through, do you?
Not all male survivors do, but the cycle of abuse is a real phenomenon that exists and it is better to be safe than sorry. One child sexual predators can victimize hundreds of children who can potentially grow up to victimize thousands more. You do the math.
ABUSE RECOVERY IS NECESSARY AND SHOULD NOT BE AVOIDED OR IGNORED
It may take from 1 to10 years of therapy, but it is worth it. You can get up everyday and be happy because you will be free of all the anguish and shame you feel now. Therapy also gives victims and survivors the tools to deal with life’s different situations that most abused people cannot handle properly, so that they do not revert to anger, depression, substance abuse or other mental disorders.
You Can't Afford Not To Get Help
Low income people have lots of options. You cannot face this alone or run from the effects of abuse. The only way out is through. On the other hand, you perhaps have little or no income to spare.
- Contact your local government health department. Now with universal healthcare in the US, many communities will help you for free.
- Ask potential help service providers if they will see you on what is called a “sliding scale” price. This means you pay what you can. In many cases service providers will help you.
- Universities have students that need to get experience and their programs can see you for free educational purposes.
- Many professional therapists donate time to low-income clinics so checking with your local “free clinic” can also be a good idea.
- Support groups are also a way to get help on a budget. Check you local health service providers for more info.
- The P. Luna Foundation has lots of Online friends and Advocates that can lend and hand and ear to those in need help.
No matter what, do everything you can to get help. Please love yourself enough to do this for yourself and your community. For many of you, you will always carry mental baggage from your abuse, but you can certainly lighten the load by taking this advice.
You don’t have to admit to the world that you were abused, just admit it to yourself,
and get help.
A few online referral sources that could be helpful are;
Shop around or check some of your local abuse support groups to help you get referrals for a good therapist. Remember, psychologists are like shoes. If your support does not feel right with the first specialist, keep looking until you find a good fit. Your therapist should talk to you respectfully and patiently. It is more of a personality mix. Some people communicate well, and some do not. Some may suggest other treatments like support groups or for you to see a psychiatrist to administer medications.
Do only what feels right to you and move at your own pace.