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| The Courage to Heal: a Guide for Women Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse by Ellen Bass and Laura Davis. |
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So often survivors have had their experiences denied, trivialized, or distorted. Writing is an important avenue for healing because it gives you the opportunity
to define your own reality. You can say: This did happen to me. It was that bad. It was the fault and responsibility of the adult. I was - and am - innocent.
By going back and writing about what happened, you also reexperience feelings and are able to grieve. You exavate the
sites in which you've buried memory and pain, dread and fury...
Why Writing
One handy thing about writing is that it's almost alsways available...It's quiet, cheap, and portable. A journal can help you figure out how you feel, what you think, what you need, what you want to say, how you want to handle
a situation, just by writing it through.
Anyone Can Use Writing
Using writing as a healing tool can be helpful...You don't need to think of yourself as a writer or even like to write. You may have had a limited
education. Perhaps you can't spell or think you're a terrible writer.
Some survivors have special blocks associated with writing. (like if someone read your personal things, or was critical of your writing), then you may be wary
of putting words on paper. But all of us have a deep need for self-expression. Yours may take forms other than writing, but if you'd like to try writing as one method of healing, even previous blocks need not stand in the way. Many (people) who
have been reluctant to write have done these exercises - and benefited enormously.
Time and Place
Choose a time and place where you won't be interrupted. Though it may take some arragning, you deserve such a time. Half an hour is a good actual writing time for each exercise. Although you can write for longer if you want, setting a specific time can help you feel comfortable.
Since writing about sexual abuse can bring up strong feelings, don't squeeze in your half-hour of writing
time between (other things you have to do). Make sure to give yourself time afterward to absorb the impact of writing.
Being Heard
Writing itself is very helpful, but sharing what you've written is important too. After you write, read your writing to someone who will listen attentively and be responsive. Make sure you protect yourself by not choosing
anyone who will reabuse you in any way
If there's no one you can read to right away, read out loud to yourself - at least you will be reading to one attentive listener. Just saying the words out loud can make them more real.
If you read your writing to someone who has no experience in listening to personal writing, tell the person what you need. You may say that you'd like them not to criticize or judge what you say. You may want them to ask
questions, to hlep you talk about it more, or you many want them simply to listen quietly. You may want comforting and you may not. People usually respond in more satisfying ways when you tell them what you want.
The Basic Method
Try and forget everything you've ever been told about writing. What you're going to do is a kind of free writing, or stream-of-consciousness writing. It's not about
making art or polished crafting or trying to make sense to someone self. Rather it's a way to short-circuit some of your sensors to get to what you need to say.
Write without stopping. Go at a pace that's comfortable for you, and don't stop. If you get stuck or can't think of anything to say, you can write "this is the stupidest exercise I ever heard of,"or
I'm hungry - I wonder if time's up yet." One woman who was writing about her abuse stopped every few lines and wrote "I cannot say any more," and then went on to say more. Allowing herself to refuse to go on, saying no, made it
possible for her to go one more step each time.
You needed use full sentences. You needn't spell or punctuate properly. It can be in any language. Sometimes if another language was spoken when you were a child you will remember in that language. If you were abused before
you learned to talk, your writing may come out as baby talk."
The next chapter is called Taking Stock and I'll be putting sections of it up here in a few days. This is a section I definatly recomend for partners of survivors too.
suggestions for now, if you're wanting to do this work. Think about what you might need for support. If you have friends you can talk to, or a rape crisis center with free counciling - they can also be good resources for helping you find
cheap counciling.
I'll have a lot more ideas about support soon, and some resources for support people.
Get a notebook. I like to use a cheap, spiral bound notebook because it makes it seem less like
I have to write something really great. Also a good pen.
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