For twenty years, I have had the profound privilege—and responsibility—of sitting with survivors of child sexual abuse and sexual assault. I have witnessed the fear that comes in the middle of the night. The heartbreak of shattered trust. The rage at a world that wasn’t safe when it should have been. I have held space for the profound injustice that survivors face—children, college students, adults—over and over again.
I have supported clients through grueling court cases that bring a whole new type of traumatization as they seek justice. I’ve been deposed on behalf of my patients, standing as a witness to their truth. I have looked survivors in the eye, time and time again, and reminded them of something that should never need repeating: It is not your fault.
Not when ignorant comments are made by people who don’t understand trauma. Nor when the justice system fails to hold perpetrators accountable. Not when you’re questioned, doubted, or dismissed. Not ever.
The Narrative We Challenge Every Day
Together, in therapy rooms across this country, we challenge the toxic, victim-blaming narrative that survivors are “just seeking attention” or “in it for the money or fame.” As someone who has walked this road with countless survivors, I know the truth: there is not a damn thing survivors are awarded for speaking out.
In fact, they lose far more than they gain. Their privacy and peace are gone. Their sense of safety in the world was forever altered. They endure scrutiny, skepticism, and often outright hostility. And still, courageously, they speak.
And Yet, Here We Are
As a therapist, I am frustrated. As a woman, I am heartbroken. But as a human being, I am exhausted.
We watch as rich and powerful people continue to deny and defend credible allegations. We watch as sexual predators become congressmen, teachers, coaches, clergy—placed in positions of extreme power and influence over the very populations they’ve harmed.
Everyone watches as a known predator becomes the President of the United States.
We see the gaslighting in real time. We see followers look the other way, defend the indefensible, all while claiming to be “pro-life” and proclaiming they’re “protecting children.” The hypocrisy is staggering. The complicity is infuriating.
I sit in my office and watch my clients—survivors who have done the excruciating work of healing—see their worst experiences reflected and validated in the public sphere. I watch them wonder if speaking their truth mattered at all when predators continue to rise to power unchecked.
This is not just a political issue or a public health crisis. This is a moral crisis. And for those of us who work with survivors every single day, it is personal.
But the Work Continues
I am frustrated by a system and a culture that continues to protect predators while silencing survivors. But I refuse to let that frustration silence me.
So let me be absolutely clear, not just as a therapist, but as someone who believes you with every fiber of my being:
To every survivor reading this:
You are believed.
Your experience is real. The pain you feel is valid. Your trauma is not up for debate.
Your voice matters.
Speaking your truth—whether publicly or privately, whether in a courtroom or a therapy room—matters. You have broken the silence that protects abusers. That is an act of courage, no matter what happens next.
It is not your guilt or shame to carry.
The shame belongs to the person who harmed you. The failure belongs to the systems that protected them. You deserve to put that burden down.
What you are seeing right now is wrong.
Profoundly, unequivocally wrong. If you feel gaslit by the world around you, trust yourself. You’re not overreacting. You’re not being “too sensitive.” What’s happening is unconscionable, and your anger, grief, and exhaustion are justified.
I see you. I hear you. And I will continue to stand with you.
To My Fellow Therapists and Advocates
The work continues. The fight is far from over. Our clients need us now more than ever—not just as clinicians, but as witnesses to their truth in a world that too often refuses to see it.
Survivors deserve so much more than what this world has given them. They deserve safety, justice, and to be believed without question. Until that world exists, we keep showing up. We keep holding space. We keep reminding them—and ourselves—that their healing matters, even when the world seems determined to re-traumatize them.
Xx,
Your local trauma therapist & fellow survivor
Start Therapy for Sexual Assault in Ohio
If you’re a survivor reading this and you need support, please reach out. You don’t have to carry this alone. Whether you’re feeling triggered by what’s happening in the world, overwhelmed by memories, or simply tired of holding your breath through daily life, support is available—and you deserve it. Our team can offer support as you heal. You can start your therapy journey with Thrive Therapy Inc by following these steps:
- Schedule a free 15-minute consultation.
- Learn how a caring therapist can support you.
- Start healing at your own pace!
Other Services Offered with Thrive Therapy Inc.
If you or someone you know is struggling with the aftermath of sexual trauma, know that hope and healing are possible. Specialized trauma therapy that is evidence-based will help. Thrive offers evidence-based treatment, including Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Prolonged Exposure (PE) and trauma-focused CBT. You can book a free 15-minute consult at https://thrivetherapyinc.com/contact/ or call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
We are happy to offer a variety of in-person services in Cincinnati, OH, and online therapy throughout KY, NY, and OH. We are happy to offer additional services, including trauma therapy, PTSD treatment, therapy for first responders, and therapy for childhood trauma survivors. You can learn more by visiting our FAQ or blog today.