Sexual abuse Christmas message…

Christmas can be tough!

It’s that time of the year again, for family gatherings, when everyone appears to be enjoying themselves.

But for many of us, it’s absolute hell having to put on a smiley face and join in the festivities.

Christmas is often a time when we have to sit opposite our abusers at the festive table and raise a toast to a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all men and women.

How can we do that knowing that we have this awful secret eating away inside of us?

For victims and survivors of abuse, this time of year is the one we dread the most.

It throws up terrible memories of our past abuse or, for some, the abuses that continue.

There seems to be no time, even at Christmas, when we will feel safe.

My message to all victims /survivors is that there is help and support if you want to change your life.

You can make this the last Christmas that you have to live in fear, with that sick feeling in the pit of your stomach.

Take a deep breath and, when you are ready, call us at Haven.

All of us here know what you are experiencing and, with our support, you can start the New Year, one step at a time on the path to healing…

 

Chris Casey MBE