Taking Back What Abuse Took

Abuse lies to its victims, speaking into their very being that they have no value or worth. For victims of abuse, health and happiness can seem like an impossible dream. Health and happiness ARE possible, however, on the other side of abuse. Healing from abuse involves taking back the very things that abuse took from the victim. It is a journey to find health, hope, and healing on the other side of hurt, harm, and pain. Though the work to heal requires daily commitment, the effort is worth it. Working to heal from abuse better ensures the pain and harm of one's past does not continue to take from the good of their today. "Taking Back What Abuse Took" utilizes public health-based concepts to help guide survivors of abuse through the healing process. Each survivor's path to healing must be their own, but these critical concepts can also better equip and inform those who seek to support survivors along their healing journey. Key concepts to healing from abuse include recognizing the importance of physical and emotional safety, addressing unhealthy coping behaviors adopted during abuse victimization, understanding the need for encouragement and support throughout the healing journey, creating healthier expectations for one's future, reclaiming one's sense of self-worth, a daily commitment to leaving a painful past behind, and determining to find health and happiness on the other side of abuse.