Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #SexAbuseChat

Most recents (12)

The holiday season is a time of celebration and a chance to reconnect with family and friends, but it can also present challenges for some survivors of sexual assault.

Perpetrators of sexual violence are usually someone the victim knows.

#SexAbuseChat
This is especially true for those who have experienced child sexual abuse. For survivors, holiday gatherings may mean facing painful memories, feelings of anxiety, or a chance of repeated harm.

Large gatherings can also make it more difficult for survivors

#SexAbuseChat
if someone who hurt them in the past will be around them. Fortunately, there are ways to help survivors feel safe as they plan for holiday gatherings.

“Each survivor’s experience and healing process is unique, and for some people,

#SexAbuseChat
Read 33 tweets
Good day, everyone! Welcome to chat. Join us with me @RachelintheOC & @CStreetlights!

House rules:

- Say hi!
- Use the #SexAbuseChat hashtag in tweets AND replies.
- Engage only if you want to.
- Be respectful of others.
- Avoid explicit language that may trigger others.
- We don't discuss politics during chat.

Please avoid explicit language that may trigger others.

Please stay on our topic of discussion.

If you think a friend can benefit, please share this chat with them right now! As always, remember to use the #SexAbuseChat hashtag
in tweets AND replies.

-As a reminder, #SexAbuseChat is not, nor is it intended to be, a therapeutic service. If you want or need therapy please seek an experienced, qualified professional.

TRIGGER WARNING: Our chat discusses child abuse. While participating
Read 6 tweets
This week, we are going to talk about sleep hygiene. If you haven't heard this term before, it basically means how clean are your sleeping routines?!

In these long pandemic-filled days, which has amped up the anxiety for many, sleep can be more elusive than ever

#SexAbuseChat
We've talked about sleep troubles, naps, and other topics here, so today we're covering sleep hygiene.

How many of us take an internet device like a phone or tablet to bed? You don't have to admit it, but stats show many people sleep with a device next to the bed.

#SexAbuseChat
Even if it's only there for the alarm, it's a distraction. One might be tempted to 'check notifications' or start watching something close to bedtime.

Speaking of watching things, many people have a TV in their room, right? Pretty common.

#SexAbuseChat
Read 26 tweets
Good evening, everyone! Welcome to #SexAbuseChat. Join tonight with me and @JCStaff_ !

House rules:

- Say hi!
- Use the #SexAbuseChat hashtag in tweets AND replies.
- Engage only if you want to.
- Be respectful of others.
- Avoid explicit language that may trigger others.
We don't discuss politics during chat.

Please avoid explicit language that may trigger others.

Please stay on tonight's topic of discussion.

As always, remember to use the
#SexAbuseChat hashtag in tweets AND replies.
As a reminder, #SexAbuseChat is not, nor is it intended to be, a therapeutic service. If you want or need therapy please seek an experienced, qualified professional.

TRIGGER WARNING: Tonight's chat discusses child abuse. While participating please practice excellent self-care.
Read 7 tweets
So we find ourselves in the midst of a global pandemic. Those who never had anxiety have increasing levels of it... For those of us w/ trauma, PTSD, anxiety and/or depression linked to sexual abuse, this situation has possibly had an effect on our symptoms.

#SexAbuseChat
Those who are at home most of the time may not be affected so much by the 'lockdown' procedures sweeping the globe, however venturing out for food or meds is now a very different experience, and likely an increasingly nerve-shredding one.

#SexAbuseChat
Venturing out for any reason, in many places is now partly controlled by government restrictions. The fear of making a mistake and being publicly reprimanded by an authority figure can be particularly daunting.

#SexAbuseChat
Read 30 tweets
Tonight we're discussing disclosure - it's different for every survivor. When to disclose, if we disclose, how to disclose...we'll discuss ways and when and how tonight and all that entails (in the time available).

#SexAbuseChat
When people hear the word "disclosure", especially in relation to sexual abuse, their minds probably go toward reporting to the authorities. While this is an option, of course, disclosure does not have to mean going this route.

#SexAbuseChat
The definition says "the action of making new or secret information known," it doesn't say known to the entire world, or to the police or to your family. It doesn't actually stipulate.

#SexAbuseChat
Read 23 tweets
Many times, especially as childhood survivors of sexual abuse, therapy wasn't an option for many of us for various reasons. For me, it was the mid-70s and therapy was frowned upon. As I write in my books, only people like my 'crazy Aunt Barbara' went to therapy #SexAbuseChat
because she'd tried to end her life several times. Or it was what 'hippies' did - going to transcendental meditation or EST. Therapy wasn't for abused kids - besides, 'she's FINE' my mom told everyone. It was swept under the rug.

#SexAbuseChat
It wasn't until I gave birth to my first child and experienced PPD (postpartum depression) that I sought therapy, and my shrink (wonderful guy) diagnosed me with anxiety, depression, and PTSD - living w/ all that for over 25 years! Imagine that.

#SexAbuseChat
Read 24 tweets
The holidays are meant to be a time of joy and merriment, according to Hallmark. For survivors of sexual abuse, the picture may be different.

The holidays can involve a lot of socializing, visiting family, seeing those from the past which can be triggering.

#SexAbuseChat
It's essential we have our grounding strategies down to a fine art to navigate the festive period with as little added discomfort as is possible.

What's grounding? Grounding is simply the process of anchoring ourselves back in our bodies in the present moment.

#SexAbuseChat
There are many ways of achieving this, but engaging the senses is the easiest of all.

The first task is to list the dates, times and people that may feel challenging for us. This could include dinner at our childhood home

#SexAbuseChat
Read 25 tweets
Tonight we're discussing navigating the holidays - can be tough, what with the societal pressures of parties, gifts, family and friends, and work commitments - difficult for anyone yet especially hard for survivors. We'll discuss ways to cope #SexAbuseChat
The holiday season is upon us, complete with festivities, music, food and a sense of social obligation to "eat, drink and be merry", or something along those lines.

#SexAbuseChat
For survivors of sexual abuse, who may have degrees of anxiety, PTSD and general dislike of loud, crowded places, the bustle and social nature of the holidays can feel at the very least, pressured, and at the most, depression and anxiety-provoking.

#SexAbuseChat
Read 32 tweets
What does it mean to be "triggered?" In recent years, this term has been casually used to refer to the experience of having an emotional reaction, usually to some type of disturbing content in the form of media or in another social context,

#SexAbuseChat
be that violence, mention of suicide, or other situations.

However, from a mental health perspective, being "triggered" more narrowly refers to the experience of people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

#SexAbuseChat
re-experiencing symptoms of a traumatic event (such as exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violation) after being exposed to a trigger that is a catalyst or reminder.

#SexAbuseChat
Read 29 tweets
Grounding is essential for survivors, especially to manage symptoms of PTSD.

Grounding is about connecting with our body and anchoring our body in our surroundings, to calm anxiety and control dissociation patterns when feeling triggered.

#SexAbuseChat
By grounding, we can stay present and make sure that we are in control of decision making and can respond soothingly to our inner child who may be suffering a trauma response to feeling triggered (so maybe reacting with fight/flight/freeze). #SexAbuseChat
The simplest way to approach grounding is to tap into our 5 senses.

Just asking ourselves what we can see, hear, smell, taste, feel (physically) can bring us back into the room and help us to feel secure and safe enough to do what we need in the moment. #SexAbuseChat
Read 15 tweets
Helpful info on grooming from @CHILD_USA:

1. Child sex abusers “groom” their child victims. Child sex abusers are patient and cunning, and often the “nice guys” you want your kids to spend time with. Often generous, fun activities, cash, candy,

#SexAbuseChat
jewelry, special clothing, trips, adopting endearing nicknames, telling the children he/she “loves” them and their families, and other special treatment. Telling children that sex abuse is how they show “love” to each other. Using showers, alcohol #SexAbuseChat
and pornography to lower defenses. Telling children that God means for them to be together. Having mock wedding ceremonies complete with clothing and rings. #SexAbuseChat
Read 11 tweets

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