Andy’s favourite links to some great stuff for survivors of child sexual abuse
Cycle of Abuse
Experiencing abuse is one thing. Figuring out what just happened to me and how it changed my life, beyond recognition or belief, was something it took me years to understand, and come to terms with.
Discovering there’s something called the Cycle of Abuse really helped me understand why I behaved the way I did after being sexually abused as a child.
It was such a relief to discover I wasn’t crazy after all. Now I know why I reacted so badly to people and the world in general when things became too much.
The Cycle of Abuse - definition, explained and examples
Here’s a really great explanation of the Cycle of Abuse I found on the Cleverism website. Thanks Cleverism.
I hope understanding the Cycle of Abuse helps you as much as it’s helped me.
You’re not alone,
Andy
Drink and Drugs News
Drink and Drugs News is the magazine for the substance abuse field. I’ve found it to be a great resource on my healing journey over the years.
I especially like DDN’s article entitled System Failure on page 10 of the May 2019 edition of DDN.
It’s all about the Numbing The Pain report and film (which I participated in) produced by One in Four - a specialist charity supporting people who have experienced child sexual abuse and trauma.
Huge numbers of people accessing drug or alcohol treatment have experienced childhood sexual abuse, yet most services remain ill equipped to offer them the support they need.
Take a look and see what you think.
Matt’s resources page
Feel free to also check out my resources page for a list of people and organisations who exist to offer help and support to survivors of child sexual abuse.
You’re not alone,
Matt
Speak out Stay safe
Speak out Stay safe is a free service from the NSPCC available to all primary schools in the UK, which I volunteer for as a speaker.
Speak out Stay safe aims to equip a generation of children with the knowledge and understanding they need to stay safe from abuse and neglect.
Children are taught to speak out if they are worried, either to a trusted adult or Childline.
Trained NSPCC volunteers and staff deliver an assembly and workshop to primary schools in the UK.
Safeguarding
Speak out Stay safe is an effective way to support your school's safeguarding duties and links directly to the curriculum.
Empowered children
By the end of a visit, children feel empowered - knowing how they can speak out and stay safe.
Matt’s resources page
Feel free to also check out my resources page for a list of people and organisations who exist to offer help and support to survivors of child sexual abuse.
You’re not alone,
Matt
Drug Rehab.com
Drug Rehab.
It sounds scary I know, but here’s a programme I really like which is not at all what I expected.
I’d never thought of taking up yoga for addiction recovery?
There are lots of drug rehab clinics, but the wellness programme at Drug Rehab.com is different.
I really like what seems to me an exciting new approach to wellness.
