We Are Adult Survivors of Child Abuse and Neglect

To have one’s inner sense of security shattered, particularly at a young age, disrupts people’s perception of a safe world. “A lack of predictability and controllability are the central issues for the development and maintenance of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).”[1] The intrusiveness of the memories of past trauma

I was recently told about a wonderful book titled “When Survivors Give Birth,” by Penny Simkin, PT, and Phyllis Klaus, CSW, MFT. I would highly recommend that survivors and those who care about them buy this book. It gives very insightful information about both the need to address

I have consistently written about how the media glamorizes sex and violence—a practice which is harmful for the healthy growth of children. When I wrote to media CEOs in my article titled Child Abuse Survivors Disserved By Media, their responses centered around their high standards and providing what their audiences

On my post dated May 17^th, I inadvertently said I was going to be on a radio show on May 23^rd. The show actually aired on May 19^th. I am sorry for the error but you can listen to the show by clicking on my “Media Kit” page

When growing up in an abusive environment, control becomes an important issue. Clearly, in the beginning, control rests with the abusive parents/caretakers, so children will adapt to their environment the best way they can. In the process, however, children become very attuned to high levels of stress—so much

This Wednesday, May 23rd at 12:00 PM EST, I will be the guest on the radio show Project Empowerment. We will be talking about general issues that impact adult survivors of child abuse and neglect. I hope you will join us for this 1-hour show by clicking on http://www.blogtalkradio.com/projectempowerment/2010/05/19/project-empowerment–e-diane-champe.  It will take you directly to the site. I welcome any feedback.

One of the issues I dealt with in my therapy was I knew I sometimes exhibited childlike behaviors that were irrational, but I didn’t understand why that continued to happen. As an adult, I observed my behaviors and wanted to change them. It wasn’t until I understood the application

As I discussed in Cycle of Trauma – Part 1, the cycle begins with the “Original Setup.” This post, however talks about this cycle in terms of adult survivors.

Child abuse and neglect encompasses lifelong consequences due to what I have identified as a “Cycle of Trauma.” We, as survivors, don’t realize until much later in life that the methods we developed and used to cope as children are carried forward into our adult lives. I’ll discuss four aspects

The Catholic Church, along with every other religious organization, has sheltered child molesters within their “families.” It is just that there has been a lot more coverage of the Catholic Church by the media. What is very obvious to me and other survivors is the hypocrisy and feigned repugnance