April is child abuse prevention month, and here on Surviving My Past, I’ve had the pleasure of speaking to some amazing advocates during this time, who have shared information and insight that is invaluable to all of us in the fight to save as many children as possible from the trauma of childhood sexual abuse.
This last podcast in support of child abuse prevention month 2017, brings the return of friend, author, survivor, and sexual abuse recovery coach, Rachel Grant. You may remember a previous podcast that I did with Rachel, where we discussed how trauma affects the brain. Talk about a validating and encouraging podcast! You should definitely check it out if you haven’t heard it already. 🙂
Rachel and I discuss establishing boundaries for children and youth, and not only the importance of boundaries but also ways that we can go about bringing up the subject as well as modeling them, as adults.
Developing and enforcing healthy boundaries is vital to the recovery efforts of abuse survivors. Being able to advocate for ourselves by putting our own needs first is undeniable, however just because it’s necessary doesn’t mean that it’s easy. Nothing about healing from childhood sexual abuse is easy, but it’s absolutely worth it because You Are Worth It! By embracing the fact that You Are Worth It, that’s a huge step towards creating and enforcing healthy boundaries.
What about the children though, this concept of boundaries is certainly important for them too. Understanding what boundaries are and how key they are at every stage of development is something that we must be cognizant of as parents, caregivers, and advocates. Even for those who don’t have children, chances are you know someone who does and modeling healthy boundaries on your part can be so beneficial too.
No matter what role you play in a child’s life, you’ll benefit from the information that Rachel shares to educate parents and
caregivers on the importance of modeling boundaries for the children in their lives.
We also discuss the topic of “self-agency” and how that plays a role in creating healthy boundaries. Your sense of agency refers to: Your ability to take action, be effective, influence your own life, and assume responsibility for your behavior…to feel in control of your life: to believe in your capacity to influence your own thoughts and behavior, and have faith in your ability to handle a wide range of tasks or situations. *
As abuse survivors, our self-agency was compromised and damaged, but even with that being the case, there is hope for healing. Healing is possible friends, we must always remember and embrace that. The more we heal ourselves in this area, the more empowered we become.
Child abuse prevention includes not only young children but also pre-teens and teenagers too. Today’s youth face the challenges of an ever-changing digital world, which can be quite overwhelming in itself, but when coupled with physical and emotional development as they grow and mature; boundaries become even more paramount.
Rachel and I talk also discuss how boundaries for youth also need to include the social media front as well. Trying to survive and manage the constant peer pressure from friends and schoolmates is daunting in itself, and while this is nothing new, the added pressures of being constantly connected through social media can make the pressures that much greater.
It’s always an honor when I have the opportunity to chat with Rachel and other amazing advocates who are doing all they can by dedicating their lives to helping survivors embrace healing and hope by providing the tools and resources to thrive.
I truly hope you will give the podcast a listen and consider sharing it with those who could also benefit from the insight and encouragement of this episode. If you would like more information about working with Rachel Grant, her book Beyond Surviving, and access to her amazing resources online, just head over to RachelGrantCoaching.com.
-Matt
*Source – PsychCentral
Pictures courtesy of Pixabay. Images of Rachel Grant used with her permission. Social Media images created by Matt Pappas.
