Module 4 - Back on Track

FOREWORD FOR THE CARE PROVIDER At least 33% of the population have somehow been a victim of sexual abuse under the age of 16. That seems unlikely. Yet studies in the field show that more than a third of the people were severely battered sexually as children or adolescents. This is by no means to say that all those people were raped or sexually assaulted. Sexual abuse is a wide range of violations of an individual's integrity. This ranges from light touches and caresses against the will of the individual, to torture and rape and even to murder. So, in this range there are different "degrees" of sexual violence. Exposing children to pornography, using for pornography purposes, rape, subjecting to oral sex, forcing into group sex ... all these points can wreak havoc on a victim's self image. The consequences of this can be unimaginable. So, the potential of 33% of people has been compromised in some way. That's because children who fall victim to such unwanted touches and violence can create a very negative self-image. Their creativity is compromised because they no longer believe in themselves. They feel dirty, used, less than nothing. Many victims are confused and have nowhere to go with these feelings. Some victims will never talk about it because they feel guilty about the abuse. That is one of the techniques that perpetrators apply: to blame the victim. This is called "projection". And you don't talk about your guilt, you carry it. Even if you are burdened by it, even if you are destroyed. Can we be amazed at the fact that so many adults are broken? Outsiders can respond perfectly to this. It is important to get all these victims out of their isolation. Whether they are still children or eighty years old. Finally, being understood is so unimaginably important for victims to finally feel free and relieved. And age plays no role in this. The burden stays the same.