On the Blue Knot Foundation website there are published stories and poems from adult survivors of child abuse. Many are inspiring such as Johnthan’s reprinted below. Blue Knot provide online and telephone support plus workshops for survivors. Visit Blue Knot. Based in Australia.
Time to Speak
It is finally time to speak
The stories we have kept away
From the stigma and the sounds
Of come on please don’t tell
No one wants to hear it all
The tragedy and horror that was true
No one wants to imagine the hurt
That was offered to such a little girl
We can claim our voice at times
When we are protected and safe inside
But what we cannot yet achieve
Is the final speech of how it should be
It is not up to us to help you get it
It is not up to us to make it OK
It is up to us to be proud of our life
And to not let it explain us away
The word abuse and all that it means
Brings judgement from such fear
A fear we have lived with but not one
We need to continue to hear
I am a strong and phenomenal person
No matter what someone else chose for me
I did not do anything wrong and that’s a fact
It does not and will never define me
So next time someone describes a past of abuse
Do not be scared or sorry for their hurt
See that individual for all that you already know
About them as they continue on with their own
Their story does not mean they are less than
Or that they are extraordinary
It simply is what it is a past that hurt
A story that allows them to breathe
So let them tell their story
Even if it’s hard for you to see
Thank them for their courage and truth
And move on with their fight for a future free
Free from the shame another individual bestowed on them
Free from the judgement of their character to be
Free from the stigma of incapability
And most of all free to be