Posting here for traffic, to reach as many survivors as possible.
An open letter, to survivors everywhere.
It was wrong, you know it was wrong, they know it was wrong, the whole damned world knows it was wrong. Whatever they did to you, it should never have happened. But nobody knows, nobody except you and them. They’ll never tell a soul, why would they? And you can’t, they’ve made sure of that. Even if you did, who would believe you? That’s what they rely on, the fear they have built within you and your fear that you would not be taken seriously. That’s their shield, that’s how they protect themselves from the reality of their own depravity and evil.
You’ve suffered in silence, maybe years have passed, perhaps decades. The act of abuse may have been over in an instant, or it may have been a prolonged campaign, but the pain is real and remains with you always. Life goes on, but it can never be complete, it can never be lived freely. The past is always there, the mark left upon you never leaves, the control over you is complete and seems everlasting. They are always there, whether in the back of your mind or at the fore of your thoughts, do they even realise the impact their actions have?
The worry, are you alone? The fear that you are, but the despair that if you are not then others have suffered the same way. Suffered, or suffering? Now you carry the shame of what happened to you and also the guilt that it could have happened or be happening to others, more innocent lives affected. But what can you do, what power do you have? You’re worthless, after all. Isn’t that what you feel, what they have made you feel and truly believe?
Well, remember always that you are far from worthless. Nobody has the right to make you feel that, to treat you the way they did. Nobody, not now, not then, not ever.
You’re stronger than you’ll ever know, it takes great fortitude and strength of character to go through what you have and to come out the other side. To pick yourself up, to move forward with your life. Worthless? We both know who that describes, and it certainly isn’t you.
The fear, it’s real, but it can be overcome. The disbelief, that too is real, but the facts speak for themselves. The shame? You have nothing to be ashamed of, you’ve done nothing wrong, remember that always. The guilt that others may have suffered or may be suffering, don’t feel guilty but use your experience to help make sure it can’t happen again.
Make them fear, let them be disbelieved, make the shame and guilt wash over them. It’s not easy, it’s never going to be easy. Waiting for the right time? When can the time ever be right.
Be strong, channel that courage, free yourself from those demons. Take your time, don’t rush, but do please talk. Let somebody know, open up, show them that you’re not afraid. Break that hold they have over you, break through their shield, they can’t control you now.
You will be believed, they will be stopped, the truth will speak for itself. Stand strong, stand tall, stand proud. For by speaking out you will release not only yourself but others who have suffered, are suffering and may otherwise suffer.
From one survivor to all others, together we can help stop others having to call themselves survivors in the future. Together, by speaking out, we can be free. Together we can help stop suffering, help stop abuse. They think they are strong, but we are stronger, and together they can be overcome.