A Young Boy's Struggle with Sexual Assault

trigger warning: this post will discuss sensitive topics that may be upsetting to some readers. No one ever wants to think about a child being sexually assaulted, but unfortunately, it happens more often than we'd like to admit. In this blog post, we'll be discussing a young boy's experience with sexual assault and how he copes with it on a day-to-day basis. Michael was only six years old when it happened. He remembers it vividly, even though it was over ten years ago. He was playing in the park with his friends when a man approached him and asked if he wanted to see some puppies. Michael went with the man, thinking he was going to get to see some cute animals. But instead, the man took him into an alleyway and sexually assaulted him. Michael still has nightmares about that day. For years after the assault, Michael felt ashamed, dirty, and alone. He didn't want to tell anyone what had happened because he was afraid, they would judge him or think less of him. He struggled to form close relationships with others and often felt like an outsider looking in on the world around him. It wasn't until he started therapy in his early twenties that he began to work through his trauma and start to heal. These days, Michael is doing much better. He's in a committed relationship and has a great group of friends who support him. He still has bad days where he feels overwhelmed by his memories, but he's working on coping mechanisms that help him get through those tough times. He hopes that by sharing his story, he can help other survivors of sexual assault feel less alone and encourage them to seek out help if they need it. There are many stories much like Michael’s. If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please know that you are not alone. There are many resources available to help you through this difficult time, including therapy, support groups, hotlines (such as the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673), and more. We are here for you at www.slidfnd.org

You deserve to heal in whatever way works best for you because we know EVERYONE HEALS DIFFERENTLY. #weareshiningalight #Refuse2BSilent #pleaselisten2us #menwillYOUtakeastand