The effects of child rape on adult survivors

United States
February 12, 2007 12:01am CST
I was thinking earlier today about how the fact that i was raped by incest when i was nine has affected my life in more ways then i had realized. I get bad panic attacks, even when my husband is holding me or hugging me too tight. I have 4 sons and a daughter, and everytime one of them complain of something hurting down there, i immediatly start thinking the worst and thinking about who they were left alone with and start examining them from head to toe and asking them lots of questions. I have always considered myself a survivor, because the incident has made me so much stronger, but then i look into my life now and it still affects me in my everyday life, such as parenting and being a wife. So im just wondering if it is just me, or are other survivors of child rape/incest still suffering in hidden ways as adults.
2 people like this
2 responses
@willocfc (963)
• Australia
12 Feb 07
After going through something as traumatic as that it would be impossible not for it to have long term affects on your everyday life, but the fact that you have created a life for yourself, have a husband and a family of your own is a testament to just how strong a person you really are. To suffer does not make you weak... it makes you human
1 person likes this
• United States
12 Feb 07
First off I would like to say I'm sorry thats happend to you, but congradulations for moving on with your life. The few people I have known that have had this happen to them still have many many problems with it. 2 of them I know have not had a relationship with anyone because they are scaired. one ran away and I have no idea where they are. The other is getting professional help with it as she is 12 and it happened only a year ago. It will probably effect your life for a long time, but as long as you can continue to have a life, and be a mother to your children then you are doing fine. I know many people who have not had that happen to them worry about it happening to there kids. so it's not just you.
• United States
13 Feb 07
Yeah i just think im crazy with it. My daughter, she cant even LOOK like something is hurting her and I start freaking out. And i dont know why, because we are home most of the time, and my husband just aint that type of guy.. I dont know though, I thought I was over that.. I have forgiven the man who did and even can be inthe same room with him without breaking down. So i didnt think that it should still be affecting my life as a mother and a wife...
1 person likes this
• United States
15 Feb 07
I think the best advice I can give you is to come to terms with the fact that it's going to bother you, theres not much you can do about it. This is what my one friend told me she has done and it helped her alot. but remember it is okay to worry as long as you don't go overboard and keep your kids from having fun and a life.