The Sacred Path & Staying Present – Survivors and Support Persons
Staying present is an important aspect of dealing with situations that activate emotional responses for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. It means being fully aware and engaged in the current moment, without being overwhelmed by memories or emotions from the past.
One way to stay present is to practice mindfulness, which involves paying attention to your thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations without judgment. This can be done through meditation, deep breathing exercises, or simply focusing on the present moment and your surroundings.
Another technique is to ground yourself in the present by using your senses. Focus on what you can see, hear, smell, taste, and touch in the present moment. This can help bring you back to reality and reduce the intensity of any triggers you may be experiencing.
It’s also important to have a plan in place for when activating events occur. This may involve identifying safe spaces or people to turn to for support, developing coping strategies such as journaling or creative outlets, and practicing self-care regularly.
Remember that healing is a journey and triggers may still occur, but by staying present and having a plan in place, survivors can learn to manage and overcome them.
Partners and support persons of survivors can help them stay present by encouraging them to focus on their breath or the sensation of their feet on the ground. They can also remind them to use grounding techniques such as noticing their surroundings or holding onto an object. Support persons can help create a safe and calm environment by reducing external stimuli, such as noise or bright lights. They can also offer physical support, such as holding their hand or placing a comforting hand on their back if that feels ok for the survivor. It’s important for support persons to approach this with sensitivity and respect for the survivor’s boundaries. Encouraging survivors to engage in self-care practices, such as exercise, meditation, or therapy, can also help them stay present and manage activating events. Ultimately, support persons and survivors collaborate to develop effective strategies for managing triggers and staying present.
Respecting survivor boundaries is crucial for creating a safe and supportive environment for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. It is important for support persons to listen carefully to survivors and respect their wishes. Survivors have the right to set boundaries and express what they are comfortable with and what they are not. It is important for support persons to educate themselves about childhood sexual abuse, trauma, and recovery. This will help them better understand the survivor’s experiences and be more supportive.
Support persons can stay present by practicing active listening and being fully engaged in the conversation. This means putting aside any distractions, such as phones or other devices. It also involves being attuned to the survivor’s nonverbal cues and expressions, such as body language or tone of voice, to better understand their emotions and perspective. Support persons can also stay present by being patient and allowing the survivor to take the lead in the conversation or decision-making process. Additionally, taking deep breaths, focusing on one’s own emotions, and using mindfulness techniques can help support persons to remain centered and grounded in the present moment during difficult conversations or situations. It is important for support persons to prioritize their own self-care as well, to prevent burnout or vicarious trauma.
