-
I cannot manage
my pain alone. I must seek help.
Today I am willing to stay in the
solution by grabbing a hold of “The Silver Braid.”
-
I acknowledge
that something terrible happened. I
know it is not my imagination; I was
a victim of childhood and/or adult
sexual assault.
-
I begin to
recognize my feelings. There may be
sadness, anger, fear guilt and
shame.
I allow myself to experience
them all.
-
I discuss the
abuse thoroughly with my Sexual
Abuse Survivors In Recovery Group. I
completely re-experience and begin
to deal with feelings appropriate
for each incident of abuse that I
can recall. I share feelings of
shame with my survivors group.
-
I begin to
realize that I was probably acting
appropriately at the time the abuse
occurred.
(That is, my reactions were
appropriate, the abuse was not).
-
I perceive the
connection between my molestation
and my current behavioral patterns
and relationships. I am beginning to
develop some control over that
connection.
-
I recognize
that I have a choice as to whether
or not I confront my perpetrators.
-
I am beginning
to understand what I desire from
relationships, as I learn to trust
my perceptions.
-
I am able to
enjoy intimacy.
-
I develop a
sense of self and my self-esteem has
increased.
-
My resistance
to talking about the abuse (although
not necessarily to details of it)
has diminished.
-
I realize that
I have a choice as to whether or not
I forgive my perpetrator.
I have forgiven myself.
-
I am in touch
with past anger, but detached from
it so that it is not a constant part
of my feelings and a negative
influence on my other feelings, my
functioning, and my relationships
with others. I no longer live in the
past.
I live in the present and
welcome the future with all its
fears, and uncertainties.
