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Tools for the Journey

By Survivors, For Survivors

Here on SurvivorSpace, we believe that healing is a unique and personal journey that looks different for everyone. Our “By Survivors, For Survivors” page is a space where survivors can find unique content developed by other survivors to help them navigate their healing journey. We understand that healing from child sexual abuse can be a challenging and often isolating experience. That’s why we’ve created this space for survivors to access content that has been curated specifically for them, by survivors who understand what it’s like to go through this process. 

“Welcome Letter” written and read aloud by Angie Conn, Survivor & Advocate.

poems

Words from Survivors

PERSONAL NARRATIVES

Breaking the Silence

testimonials

Survivor Wall

“I want everyone to know that abuse is not just something that happens to you, and then you move on. Abuse, especially at a young age, gets inside of you and changes how you view yourself and your world. It gets in the way of your free expression as your own unique self. Now I speak out, because our stories need to be told. I am a survivor. Together with other survivors we can bring this silent suffering to light, take hands together, bring the abusers out into the open, and stop the harming. It can be done.”
Wendy Jensen
Wendy JensenSurvivor
John-Michael battled with finding his true self and authentic voice. As an athlete, he endured sexual abuse from coaches, benefactors, and medical team which resulted in years of PTSD, depression, anxiety, and even suicide attempts. His research, The Grooming Trifecta, provides how grooming affects everyone no matter their sexual orientation, gender, or religious beliefs.
John-Michael Lander
John-Michael LanderSurvivor, Author, Public Speaker & Advocate
“As a survivor who has been on the healing journey for 19 years and as an advocate, being part of SurvivorSpace has been monumental in my personal and professional journey. The website and the creative heartbeat behind it combines elevating survivor voices and getting unique trauma-informed healing resources to survivors in the most effective, user-friendly ways. My hope is that the “by survivors, for survivors” focus of SurvivorSpace will remind survivors tangibly that their voices have value, their stories matter, and that we are not alone.”
Melanie Sachs Barton
Melanie Sachs BartonSurvivor, Advocate, Public Speaker
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HELPFUL TIPS

Tip Sheets

Sharing Your Story: A Guide on Speaking Publicly on Child Sexual Abuse

Often, survivors of sexual assault do not speak out about their experiences, sometimes due to feelings of shame, guilt, or self-blame. Some survivors keep silent out of a sense of duty to…

Sexual Trauma, Healing & Liberation

In episode 492 of The Trauma Therapist podcast, Ignacio G HutĂ­a Xeiti Rivera talks about their sexual trauma, healing, and liberation for marginalized people. This episode involves an intergenerational conversation and lessons…
VIDEOS RESOURCES

Survivors Speak Out

Chasing Normal

In this video, Tim talks about his experience with the concept of “normal” and what it means to him….

Reconnecting with Yourself

In this video, Tim discusses his experience with the healing “journey,” including the transformative experiences he wrote about in his book….

The Denial of Your Experience

In this video, Tim shares about his relationship with his parents and how they dealt with early suspicions of the abuse he endured by a teacher….

The Language of Healing

In this video, Tim discusses the importance and power of language and imagery in his healing process….

Friendships as Safe Spaces

In this video, Tim talks about the importance of intimate friendships in his life as a person and a survivor….

Why Did You Let This Happen?

In this video, Tim draws upon his experiences while visiting Germany to discuss the concept of passivity on the part of the survivor….

The Abuser as Vampire

In this video, Tim discusses his prior fear of vampires and the analogy between vampires and abusers….

The Cult of One

In this video, Tim utilizes the concept of a cult to talk about the damage that can be done by one person to one person….

Trauma Recovery & Normalization

In this video, Jess discusses some of the nuances of embracing our true selves in the process of trauma recovery….

The Harm of Rape Culture

In this video, Jess shares how rape culture shows up in our lives and how survivors can heal in the face of it….

Abuse Within the Family

In this video, Jess discusses the unique challenges of being a survivor of familial abuse, and how we can create healing for ourselves….

The Blame & Revictimization of Disclosure

In this video, Jess discusses the revictimization that can happen after disclosing our abuse, and how we can protect ourselves….

Transmutation: A Poem

In this video, Jess shares their spoken word poem, “Transmutation.”…

Finding the Right Treatment Plan

In this video, Danielle talks about choosing the right trauma treatment for you, as well as the methods that worked for her….

You Don’t Have to be an Advocate

In this video, Danielle discusses the pressure some survivors may feel to become an advocate….

The Role of Power in the Faith Community

In this video, Jillian talks about the abuse of power she suffered at the hands of a priest she had turned to for help, and how abusive priests manipulate those who have…

Working With the Media

In the video, Russell discusses the importance of being mindful of who you share your story with and what they might do with it….

You Don’t Have to Tell Your Story

Russell discusses his experience as a survivor of trafficking and his thoughts on sharing personal stories in the anti-trafficking world….

Letting Go of Shame

In this video, Russell Wilson discusses the importance of letting go of shame when dealing with trauma and abuse….

The 7 Myths of Male Sexual Abuse

In this video, Russell breaks down seven common myths around male sexual trauma and how they get in the way of addressing the issue….

Vulnerability in the Patriarchy

Russell talks to us about how toxic masculinity and the patriarchy can create vulnerabilities for boys and men who are victims of human trafficking and sexual trauma….

Older Men Confronting Abuse

In this video, Russell talks about the lack of support and services available for older men who are starting to confront their childhood trauma….

The Challenges for Men to Discuss Trauma

Russell discusses why it’s difficult for men and boys to talk about sexual trauma….

Hitting Rock Bottom

In this video, Russell talks about his journey to healing and self-discovery after hitting rock bottom in his 30s….
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This website/mobile application was produced by Zero Abuse Project under grant number 15POVC-21-GK-01095-NONF, awarded by the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this website/mobile application are those of the contributors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
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