Sexual abuse is one of the worst possible things that can happen to a child, and its effects are far-reaching. For some, the experience is so horrible that they block it out in their memory, and only rediscover what happened to them as adults. Others are forced to relive the moments over and over in their minds, and grow up with this terrible burden overshadowing the joys of their life. Despite the horror of what these victims have gone through, however, sexual abuse is survivable. With proper counseling and the healing effects of time, those who have had to endure the worst - even at the hands of trusted family members - can get on with their lives.
Therapy and counseling are the most important steps toward helping a victim of child abuse, whether as a child or later as an adult. Understanding and confronting what happened is part of the healing process, and though it can be difficult (especially if memories were repressed for a very long time) it is an important step on the road to healing. In many cases, confronting their abuser is one of the final steps of the therapeutic process; if the abuser admits what they did (or was caught) and seeks help it can go a long way toward healing for everyone involved.
Unfortunately, time is one of the only sure ways for a victim to distance themselves from what happened. But with the proper support, each day that passes is another step away from the horrors, and another step toward a healthy future. It takes determination to cope with this kind of abuse, but it is most definitely possible.
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