Looking Forward

Contributed by Penny Pestano and Chrystina Stanford and current to January 2018

People can, and have, managed to rebuild their lives after sexual assault and abuse. Here at the Canberra Rape Crisis Centre, we have supported many women, young people, men and children in rebuilding their lives after experiencing sexual assault trauma. If you want to take steps towards rebuilding your life and you are not sure where to start, please contact us at the CRCC, we can support you in finding a path forward.

A final note to complete this information, here are some words and comments which have been shared by some of the clients who have accessed support at the CRCC:

“I cannot thank you enough for all the help you’ve given me, I’m so much stronger, calmer and happier” (Elderly woman).

“It took me a while to come to terms with what happened and that it wasn’t my fault. I blamed myself for years, too long, but I know now I’m not to blame” (Adult survivor of child sexual abuse).

“I can do the things again that I used to love doing” (Young person).

“I was gutted when my little boy told me his uncle had…. I don’t know where we’d be without your help. I just wanted to thank you for everything you’ve done for [child’s name], he’s so much happier now since the play-therapy, he’s getting on with things and you would never know what he’s been through just seeing how he is now. Thanks so much” (Mother of a young child).

“I’ll never forget what he did to me, what he put me through for all those years, but I can tell you one thing for sure, I’m not letting what he did to me control my life anymore! I know who I am, I’ve struggled through so much, but I’m a fighter, a survivor and I will never give up” (Adult woman).

“I was so scared to tell anyone what happened to me back then. Felt like they would think I was a wimp, not a real man. Thankyou for helping me see that it took much more courage to get some help. I am way more in control of myself and my life by facing the thing that scared me the most" (Male survivor)

“All those years ago I thought there was no hope, I tried to end it a few times and didn’t look after myself, I don’t know how I survived. My life is different now, the strategies I learned helped me get back on track. I went back to school and studied hard and got my degree. If you had told me five years ago that I would have a loving partner and a healthy baby and my life ahead of me, I wouldn’t have believed it. I’ve got my life back, and things are only getting better” (Male survivor)