You Are Not Alone

Welcome to Thrive: Empowering Male Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse. The first thing I want any man reading these words to know is that You Are Not Alone. We as men hear so many messages from our families and from society that tell us that it is not okay for us to feel what we are feeling as survivors. We are told to "man up", to "take it like a man", and a myriad other bullshit platitudes that make us feel like we must be the only man in the world who has been through this and that no one would care or understand. The world is wrong. You are not alone, others have been where you have been, and there are many people who do care. Let me say it again, You Are Not Alone.

Are you a man who likes science and statistics? Here's a statistic for you: 1 in 6 men will experience an abusive or unwanted sexual encounter before the age of 18. 1 in 6. Not only are we not alone as male survivors of childhood sexual abuse, we are in shockingly large company. The message that it doesn't happen to guys or that we are somehow weak for having a difficult time dealing with the aftereffects of the abuse doesn't seem to hold up in the face of such cold, hard numbers does it?

On a more personal note, I have started this blog because I too am a male survivor of childhood sexual abuse. If you wish, you can view my story here. When I tell you that you are not alone, it is because I have been there too. When I tell you there are people who care, it is because I have people in my life who make that statement true. When I tell you there is hope, it is because I am finding more and more every day. When I tell you there are resources to help you begin to heal, you will find them here on this blog as time goes on. You are not alone on this journey. WE are not alone. There is strength and solace in knowing that someone out there understands. If you are someone who understands then welcome and thank you for joining me on this journey of healing from the effects of male childhood sexual abuse.