For survivors telling our story is an important part of the healing process. The pictures we have posted here not only represent the unfathomable number of those that were affected by childhood sexual abuse, but they also represent a community of people who are dedicated to supporting the healing and recovering journey. Please join us by submitting a picture and caption that you are comfortable sharing.
Your submissions can be scanned or e-mailed to
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or you can mail them to the address listed on the contact page.
(we will return original photos upon request)
"Healing takes courage, and we all have courage, even if we have to dig a little to find it."~Tori Amos
MEN AND WOMEN OF STRENGTH AND COURAGE TO RECOVER, HEAL, AND TO EDUCATE THE WORLD ABOUT THE EFFECTS OF CHILDHOOD SEXUAL ABUSE TO AN ADULT'S LIFE.
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020 - Erika H (United States) |
 I was a victim of child sexual abuse for seven years at the hands of my stepfather. It began at the age of 11 and lasted until I was 18, a senior in high school. I came forward and confessed three different times and unfortunately was swept under the rug. It wasn't until my senior year that someone decided to listen and help. Today, I'm a strong woman and no longer a victim. I've chosen to overcome my obstacles and become successful. I'm currently a contestant for Miss Utah and am strongly promoting my platform, "Educating for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse" in hopes to save at least one life. |
 I am an incest survivor. I was sexually abused by my father for years. After years of keeping my secret, I feel compelled to tell my story and speak for those who have not yet found their voice. I have a website and a blog - Surviving by Grace and have written a book of how God has helped me on my healing journey - The Third Floor Window. As a child, I would often look out the third floor window of my bedroom at the world outside, wishing for a different world inside. After writing and speaking about my story, I now feel that different world inside. I now see hope and freedom. |
 I was sexually abused as a child. Things happen to kids without anyone even knowing. It is a shame how children are used by adults whom they are supposed to trust. I was always the child who tried to make peace with everyone, even my abusers, I never looked at it the way I should have. It has taken me 38 yrs. to finally see it for what it was, Abuse. I hope more women and men come out of their shell and finally take a stand for themselves. Finally speak their voice. |
 I am a survivor of incest, childhood sexual assault, rape and domestic violence. My personal website called The Mighty Phoenix has helpful info on childhood sexual abuse that I created to help me as well as help others in their healing process. I was 5 the earliest time that I remember the sexual abuse starting. It occurred throughout my childhood into my teen years. I was 34 before seeking help for the incest and childhood sexual assaults. I am the author of A Voice That Has Spoken From Within: A Survivor’s Feelings Expressed Through Poetry. I spend many hours of my time advocating for women and children that have been abused/ that are still being abused. My desire is for all that have been abused to be able to find their own voice and begin in their own healing process. Please know that you are not alone. There are people that do care and want to help you. |
 I have personally chosen to use this adult photo, because I want you to see the woman that I am today. Sure, I was molested as a child. As a matter of fact, it went on for many years, from age 5 until I was 13 years old. Sure, I was broken and confused. BUT GOD.... Today is what matters most to me. I am healed. I am delivered. I am free. I am happy. Can you see the joy in my eyes? It is well with my soul. |
 I was abused by a baby sitter who was 6 years older than me. I was 8-9 and she was 14-15. I'm not using it as an excuse but she was abused too and didn't know any different. It only happened the once but I knew it was wrong and so did she. I forgot about it for years and years until I had my own children. My oldest was 8 at the time and something just triggered inside and I started to remember what happened. I started to abuse various drugs and alcohol and it sent me crashing. I ended up on the psych ward. After I got out I stopped going out, I ignored family and friends and locked myself away in my bedroom. I eventually acquired a computer and got on-line. I started my first site but wanted more. I eventually joined a support group on line and made my own. I have now been running my mental health support forum for survivors of abuse since 2006. It as helped so many people and it as helped me to come to terms with my abuse. My last thing I want to accomplish is to start a BA Honours in mental health studies. I still have problems about the past but I've moved on so much since then and I can only improve myself and the support I give. |
 For the first 16 years of my life, I was physically beaten and verbally berated by both parents but when I was 12, my mother left me with her newborn baby and 3 other brothers to care for – abandoning me with her tyrannical, abusive husband because she wanted out of the marriage. My father then began molesting me, insisting that he had the right because mother was not tending to his ‘needs.’ He physically beat me and violently raped me hundreds of times, holding me against my will and turning me into his sex slave and house servant for 4 years – until I managed to escape at the age of 16. Never once did I acquiesce to his demands and fear of his anger kept me silent – but despite the pain and pleading in my eyes and the fear that emanated from me, no one ever tried to rescue me – they just turned away and left this 12-year-old child at the mercy of a thirty-two year old man to beat and rape as he pleased. |
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013 - Tay (United States) |
 "why? Why was I not valued or worth protection? Where? Where were those who were to protect me? Mother? Father? All turned a blind eye over...and over...and over again. Take this child, who noone cares to watch over, kill her softly slowly, repeatedly. When she is dead inside, hollow, and used up, no self worth....but then again, no one thought she was of any value. Was she? Is she? Will she ever be? They convinced her and she believes it now too..." |
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Photo and Caption