A woman who had an abortion when she was a teen recently said, “All of this social media hate-talk about women who chose abortion has triggered my self-condemnation again. They don’t know my story…why I thought I had no other option”.
Do these words sounds familiar? Are you or a friend triggered by the shaming of others?
There is so much in the media today with lawmakers debating about abortion. People are talking about the recent popular movie, Unplanned, that highlighted the truth about abortion procedures inside clinics.
We can’t escape the topic.
For many years, you may have stuffed away those memories of your past. All the details may now surface and your anxiety heightens. Now, what do you do? You have a choice.
Work extra hard to run from the thoughts and feelings.
Allow the emotions to come, and contact someone who understands and cares.
Fear of rejection and shame may have kept you silent for years, but there are safe and caring women who will embrace you.
Your secret is safe within a Hearts Restored support group. Everyone shares the same secret and commits to confidentiality for each other.
The “me too” about abortion can be a welcoming sound. You know you aren’t alone. You know someone gets what you are going through.
Contact Sue Ketchum by phone at 812.567.3150 or by email about the next Healing After Abortion support group.
Men need healing, too. Contact Don Stuart by phone at 812.720.0802 or by email to meet one-on-one.
**Due to the current COVID-19 restrictions, Hearts Restored group studies are not meeting in person at this time. Please contact Sue at 812.567.3150 to learn about connecting with an online support person or group.
“I never knew how much the sexual abuse in my past impacted so much of my life. I can now see how my false beliefs from that trauma influenced decisions that I made. Relationships were difficult – I never wanted anyone close enough to learn about the shameful things that happened to me. I never felt worthy of being loved and cherished. I always felt damaged and used – dirty and abused.”*
Clarity’s support group studies, offered through Hearts Restored, help women and men realize the possibility to heal from the burden of shame and pain of sexual abuse. Past participants testify to feeling freedom after carrying the burden of their secret for so long. Others grieve their innocence lost, yet find healing and peace. Depression and anxiety lessen, as joy creeps back into wounded hearts.
“I appreciated the confidentiality that the group offered. My privacy was protected, but I loved getting to know others that shared common fears, confessed similar ways to cope, and expressed the same feelings.”*
Whether you have experienced childhood abuse; teenage date rape; sexually inappropriate verbal, physical, or visual exposure; or coercion from a partner or spouse – all of that and more is called sexual abuse and misuse. Many men and women tend to minimize or deny the effect of the incident(s). It is time to stop burying the feelings, suppressing the anger, and hiding the truth. There is freedom, when truth is revealed. You are not alone! Compassionate facilitators have walked in your shoes and understand you.
Hearts Restored: Overcoming Sexual Abuseis a recovery study and support group for women. Make a confidential call or text to Sue at 812.567.3150 or by email. New groups will begin in February – daytime and evening hours.
Hearts Restored: Overcoming Sexual Abuse is for men, too. Don can lead you through the healing study one-on-one. Make a confidential call or text to Don at 812.720.0802 or by email.
*past participant in a women’s Overcoming Sexual Abuse recovery study.
