Standing Up Stronger

This website has been developed to support survivors of childhood psychological sexual abuse.  This type of sexual abuse is just as devastating and damaging as physical sexual abuse but the dynamic is different in that there is not a physical event where the survivor can point to and help understand the source of their misery and pain.  Also, psychological sexual abuse tends to remain in the shadow of physical sexual abuse but the survivors of psychological sexual abuse need just as much support, empathy and care as other survivors.

Childhood psychological sexual abuse is basically defined as unwanted non-physical sexual activity towards a child, or young person, primarily from a parent and/or adult caregiver.  Activities include such things as:

1. Engaging in sexual activity in front of a child or young person

2. Making children and young people watch pornography

3. Disparaging remarks and/or demonising the child’s or young person’s genitalia

4. Demonising the child’s or young person’s sexuality

5. Twisting a child’s or young person’s normal curiosity or sexual conduct in to an act of abuse

No doubt this is not an exhaustive list and will add to it when informed of other activity.  Also, whilst this is focusing on childhood psychological sexual abuse am aware it can happen in adult relationships, and as a child or young person it can happen from child to child and young person to young person.

I am a survivor of childhood and young person psychological sexual abuse and whilst I could find lots of support targeting physical sexual abuse survivors nothing targeted or truly understood my experience.  My hope is that there will be people who will find this website helpful in understanding their situation and perhaps not feel so alone.  I also hope to learn from others and mutually together help each other to grow.

This website has been created to support all survivors of psychological sexual abuse regardless of age, race, gender, ethnicity, sexuality, culture and socio-economic status.  This website has no political or ideological affiliations or leanings and is just concerned with the human experience.  People’s views and perspectives are very welcome but any discriminating and/or derogatory remarks based on someone’s age, race, gender, ethnicity, sexuality, culture and socio-economic status will not be tolerated.  The moderator reserves all rights remove any objectional content and/or delete a person’s participation.

Lastly, and most importantly, this website does not replace nor substitute any professional therapy that any survivors of psychological sexual abuse need.  It cannot be stressed enough the importance that survivors get professional counselling and/or mental health support.  Recovery from sexual abuse needs to be guided by suitably qualified and experienced people.  It is up mostly important to look after your mental fitness just as much as your physical fitness.

Thank you, and all of you that visit this website I hope you come away with better understanding and hope.

Phil Sunitsch

Dunedin

New Zealand