- If you were abused or experienced trauma as a child, there is information and support to help
- People can and do recover from child abuse and trauma, with the right support
- This section of the website provides information to help you find support
- If you or someone you know is impacted by childhood trauma you can call Blue Knot Helpline on 1300 657 380 between 9-5 Mon-Sun AEST
As children, many survivors, were harmed in relationships with adults. Some were harmed in relationships with other children. This can make it hard to trust people later on, and to reach out and find help. This means that many survivors feel isolated and alone. They can feel that they have only a few people they can trust, if any, to talk to or ask for help.
Survivors often also struggle to feel and be safe. Feeling safe is important wherever you are.
Because childhood trauma happened within relationships, healing also happens within relationships. Learning to trust others, to feel safe and to turn to them for support is a crucial step in recovery. Doing so challenges the belief survivors often adopt that people are dangerous.
Trust your feelings. Choose people who are available for you, connected to you and who can engage you and your experience. This can include a counsellor or therapist who is experienced in working with adult survivors of child abuse and trauma.
It can be helpful to keep a list of your support people and phone numbers. You might like to make a plan for what you will do when you forget what helps. This might include numbers for Blue Knot Helpline, Lifeline for 24/7 crisis support, friends who understand, or your counsellor, or service. It might also remind you to do some activities that nurture you like remembering to breathe, having a cup of tea, going outside and being in nature, connecting with your pets, having a shower, listening to music, drawing, colouring in etc. Keep it on the fridge, on your phone, or anywhere you can easily find it.
Research shows that with the right support people can and do heal. Many survivors go on to tell stories of recovery. And of resilience beyond survival. We hope you find the information and support here useful.