Survivor to Thriver Manual Chapter 4 - Stage 1, Step 5, Self-Help

Step Five Self-Help

Write in your journal the words you recall your parents/abusers using to place the burden of responsibility for the abuse on you. What was the tone in their voices, the look in their eyes when they said those words? What reasons did you adopt to hold yourself responsible for the abuse?
Imagine what you would say to your parents/abusers today about who was responsible. As you speak to them, what feelings do you notice within yourself?
Sharing your story in ASCA meetings can work to expose myths about child abuse and can bring you much-needed validation for eventually seeing things the way they really were. ASCA meetings are particularly effective in challenging these myths because most of the participants share the oppression born of this misplaced sense of responsibility.