“This journey has always been about reaching your own other shore no matter what it is, and that dream continues.”
– Diana Nyad
A belated celebration of Women’s History Month (March) but a tie-in with April, which is National Sexual Assault Awareness Month. I had no idea Diana Nyad was a victim of sexual assault until I saw the new Netflix documentary: “The Other Shore.”
Nyad’s athletic prowess speaks for itself, but her resilience and determination (at age 60, no less) to never give up on her dream is even more impressive when we learned she was a victim of multiple sexual assaults (spoiler alert, but I won’t’ share the details here).
Studies by Dr. David Finkelhor, Director of the Crimes Against Children Research Center, show that:
- 1 in 5 girls and 1 in 20 boys is a victim of child sexual abuse;
- Self-report studies show that 20% of adult females and 5-10% of adult males recall a childhood sexual assault or sexual abuse incident; males tend to underreport.
- During a one-year period in the U.S., 16% of youth ages 14 to 17 had been sexually victimized;
- Over the course of their lifetime, 28% of U.S. youth ages 14 to 17 had been sexually victimized;
- Children are most vulnerable to CSA (Child Sexual Abuse) between the ages of 7 and 13.
https://victimsofcrime.org/child-sexual-abuse-statistics/
Healing is certainly possible with treatment. 90% of the time, the child knows the abuser. “Stranger danger” only comprises about 10% of sexual assaults. Perpetrators overwhelmingly are trusted adults who groom and manipulate children. Sadly, they are family members, clergy, teachers, coaches, and more.
For tips on red flags and prevention, click on: https://preventchildabuse.org/what-we-do/child-sexual-abuse-prevention/
I offer a free 30-minute phone consultation to answer any questions about sports enhancement with hypnotherapy, as well as sexual assault treatment and recovery with hypnosis, EMDR, CBT, and more. Please get in touch today.
“But for each of us, isn’t life about determining your own finish line?” – Diana Nyad