No, really. It's okay.

I am a survivor of childhood sexual abuse.

Okay, take your hands away from your ears and stop humming because while you may be uncomfortable hearing my truth, most people know someone who has been hurt in the same way that I have.

Few want to discuss it at all, let alone admit it out loud, but statistically well over half of the population of the US alone is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse.

One of the many problems with sexual abuse being a taboo subject is that empathy and understanding are rarely discussed out in the open. And too often when the subject comes up, the very few people who have falsely accused someone of sexual abuse are the most common topic of discussion.

I'd like to see that changed. Not that I want to be a crusader for sexual abuse as casual discourse or party chit-chat. I do want to see some stigma removed so that the people who need to talk (most of us) can do so safely.

Wow, I just published that without meaning to. Must be something subconscious. Oh well.

I won't be on this soap-box much, so don't run away. Just try to keep an open mind. Really, it'll be okay.