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Michael Berger, LSW's avatar

This hit hard. Survival isn’t always triumphant—it’s often quiet, gritty, and unseen. Thank you for naming that truth. At A Little Bit Kinder, we believe in honoring the messy, human stories that don’t always get told, and using research-backed compassion to support the healing we all deserve. Together, we can make the world a little bit kinder.

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Cari Tells The Story's avatar

Agreed.

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Alicia Joyful's avatar

It is about the silence, it is about the shame of carrying the big dark secret. I wrote an entire book about getting free from the holding of the secret. Thank you for sharing, I believe many need to and there is great freedom in speaking of this experience affected me and now it no longer shall.

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Healing Out Loud's avatar

There’s so much raw truth in this. From one survivor of CSA to another— thank you for speaking out. 💔

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Frankie Maar's avatar

"Shame isn't the evidence of guilt. It's the residue of being silenced by a home culture that prized appearance over reality, that valued religious reputation over genuine safety."

That line hit at the heart of my experience, as well. Great piece, thank you for sharing!!

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Breanna Mariposa's avatar

Thank you so much for sharing your story. I have a similar one and it’s something that I struggle with every day.

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Nicole's avatar

This is very relatable. I think that folks don’t disclose because of many things, but one of them is shame. We carry the shame of our perpetrators. For me, the other thing is that no one in authority would listen so there was no point in trying to get justice in that way.

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Lisa Mannina-Sulzer, Warrior's avatar

Thank you for sharing your story. I’ve struggled for 30 years with speaking about my truth and I can only imagine that it was that much harder for you as a male. When we share these traumas, we not only help ourselves heal, but show others it’s ok to do the same.

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Words of Womanhood's avatar

Great article. The silence so many live through, a silence that screams from the inside, and is mute on the outside. The silence doesn’t prevent the echo, however, as it reverberates in every bone in our body until we find the courage to release it and place it where it rightfully belongs, with the oppressor.

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Ann Cornet's avatar

Thank you for sharing this. I am just starting to heal my sa. Never thought I would be able to heal it or speak about it. One step at a time.

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Cody Taymore's avatar

Thank you as well Ann. I appreciate you also sharing. Truly.

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Ann Cornet's avatar

🙏🤍

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The freedom of curious Tully's avatar

Conditioning is powerful, whether it’s society or expectations as children, particularly harmful ones which silence our voice. What is more powerful is your courage. Thank you for sharing.

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Rachel Morgan's avatar

Talking about very real things, no matter how much they cause discomfort in the popular populace, is one of the only real ways we can heal ourselves and our world.

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Jeff Feldman, MSW, LSW's avatar

I'm so sorry you had to experience this, but I'm glad you found your voice.

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Christopher Ma's avatar

And yes. Thank you for sharing your story. It gave me the courage to at least admit mine here.

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ExpressionsOfTheInfinite's avatar

Thank you for talking about this and sharing your story. It helps.

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Duke Lott's avatar

Check me out! Learn why this made a difference to me!!

https://linktr.ee/thedukelott

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Sae Abiola's avatar

Thank you for sharing your story and I really commend your bravery for putting this into words for others to read.

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