One of the most difficult areas for us to deal with as survivors is this topic of of what if your peers or your friends or your family don't believe you um it is perfectly normal to want to tell them what's happened to you but one of the I'm very uncomfortable Dynamics and truths is that society as a whole including your peers friends and families are ignorant about the broader issues and Dynamics surrounding child sexual abuse that this can be difficult if not impossible for them to accept especially if the perpetrator is somebody that's known to them a parent uh you know that next door neighbor or friend or uncle or Aunt um it's also very difficult if you're the similar age this individual or this individual is known to them and you and they've grown up with them and they don't have this same experience uh with this individual in other words this perpetrator did not sexually abuse them in any way it's also very difficult that this person is an idealized figure or a pillar of the community uh Church uh Pastor or a youth minister or a counselor a well-like counselor or teacher's assistant um especially if this person is well respected and revered and this can be especially exceptionally challenging if this person has a reputation for doing good that everybody can point to um add to this uh the fundamental discomfort that many have about talking about child sexual abuse in and of itself when many survivors just want to be heard and want somebody to listen to them um these all can be very very difficult these can be very very challenging uh strongly strongly suggest that you do seek out other survivors who do understand for their support and they can actually help you discuss and navigate through this issue as well as you yourself seeking some qualified professional assistance and help.
