CSA is the most terrible evil it is possible to suffer.
The combination of perceived physical threat, forced and coerced sexual conduct, overwhelming power differentials and the pure innocence of a child marks just how SEVERELY evil such abuse is.
If you imagine the relative size and innocence of a child, and their complete dependency upon their caregivers, how can they fight back or escape, an adult who choses to abuse them sexually.
Primordial and tempestuous forces activated within the body far before the maturity is in place in order to process such things.
Imagine how helpless a child is before an adult, especially a core caregiver, ESPECIALLY a parent!
Now compare this to the heroes of old, lets say Hercules, this man mountain demi god, imagine him against the multi headed hydra! His incredible trials and challenges were as NOTHING compared to the trials and tribulations of victims of CSA/SRA. Achilles, Superman, Spartacus, Mother Teresa, King Leonidas… They as adults were immeasurably more equipped to face their challenges than a child facing an abusive adult is. Compare the adult abuser to the cyclops or the hydra and ask yourself truly – which is the most terrible to behold.
By definition DEAR brother and sister survivors, you have faced evil on such a scale as to dwarf that of great heroes, and damaged as you may be you are still HERE… And part of your heroes journey includes your healing journey, and even eventually bringing your gifts to the world….
I don’t call you a hero to make you feel good, or to be wishy washy… it’s simply true, its quantifiable, its real… the child that you were, the adult you are ARE heroes, its time we start regarding our self in that way.