Childhood sexual, physical, and emotional abuse will often lead to the inability to cope with its lasting effects of pain and memories long into adulthood. Many adult survivors have difficulty adjusting, feeling isolated and alone while trying to live a normal life.

The pain often leads finding ways to cope, such as drugs and alcohol. Some will contemplate, attempt, and even succeed in taking their own life.

Whether male or female, if you were abused as a child or know someone who was, you are not alone.

If you are or know someone who is living in an abusive situation, there is hope.

If you carry the scars, both seen and unseen, feeling the burden of a pain that never goes away, please know that there are so many of us who know the suffering. You are not alone.

This is the true journey of one survivor who found healing and hope. In these pages, may you also find hope and direction in forging your own personal path to healing and breaking free of the pain.