Hi Everyone!

It's been awhile since our last newsletter -- I hope that you are doing well.

What's New?

We are very pleased to announce that in October 2003, some of these NICSA Survey Results were presented directly to the Canadian Parliament by Mr. Larry Spencer, MP for Regina-Lumsden-Lake Center.

The information in the NICSA Survey Results booklet --- some of that information provided by YOU, the survivors -- helped Mr. Spencer present a powerful speech in the House of Commons and helped to WIN THE MOTION to raise the age of sexual consent!!!! This is a significant step in gaining more protection for Canadian children from sexual predators.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to all survivors who have directly helped in this process. Your contribution is valued more than you’ll ever know!!!!
We will continue to gather NICSA survey responses, and will continue to present this information to others via conferences, presentations, etc.

Imagine what can become possible when thousands of survivor voices are heard through the results in this book...
Imagine what can happen when therapists and counselors are properly educated about the effects of abuse...
Imagine what can happen when society learns about the depths of the devastation caused by abuse...

The Negative Impact of Childhood Sexual Abuse - Survey Results Booklet (first edition) is now available for purchase online at AbuseConsultants.com..

If you have not yet completed a survey, or if you know other survivors who could contribute to this process, please do so today. What you have to say is important!

What else is new?

A few months ago, I was offered an opportunity to write several children's book series about both the prevention of and healing from childhood sexual abuse. This has been an extremely time-consuming but rewarding task. These bold and truthful materials will hopefully find their way into the school curriculums and retail markets later this year.

I consider it to be an honor to write material that could truly impact the lives of thousands of children. Teaching children the truth about sexual abuse and sexual predators has long been ignored. It's time for both children and adults to be properly educated about these areas.

If you are interested in these children's materials, please contact us for further information.

Site Updates

Check out our new Home Page
Try out our new site search engine
Read about the NICSA Survey Results
Order the NICSA Survey online

Thank You

I want to say a heartfelt thank you to the survivors that continue to view and participate with the AbuseConsultants.com website over, and over, and over. Your committment and devotion is truly amazing.
Since I have been writing the childrens' series, I haven't had as much time to devote directly to website development or to interact directly with you, the site viewers. HOWEVER, I continue to receive wonderfully supportive emails and survey submissions, art, poetry, comments, ideas, etc.on a regular basis. The site stats show that there continues to be thousands of individual site viewers EACH MONTH --- WOW!!!

THANK YOU so much for your ongoing interest and participation with this site. I have been totally floored by your ongoing response, and I appreciate you so very, very much. I do hope the site continues to be helpful to each of you, and to every survivor you know.

DID Therapy Tip

Working with Child Parts
by Kathy Broady LMSW-ACP, Clinical Director

In the professional mental health world, there are many contradictory views about the “best” way to work with child parts. In fact, many therapists and/or treatment facilities now discourage work with child parts, calling it regressive and insisting that only the adults/host parts be involved with any external conversations.

I realize that keeping the kids tucked inside and quiet could arguably have some advantages, however…

In my years of experience, I have found that talking with the inside kids is extremely important.

Child parts may appear to be the youngest system parts, but in reality, they typically have been around the longest. This makes them some of the oldest parts of the system.

Since dissociation begins in childhood, the child parts can often explain why – how – when – where the splitting began in the first place. They know a lot about the trauma. They know a great deal about family dynamics, and how the internal system patterns itself after those external family dynamics.

Child parts are extremely strong and creative. They are the parts that first learned how to survive the unspeakable. They are the parts that held onto hope, change, innocence, faith, and love. They are the source of enormous strength for the entire system.

Child parts often hold many feelings – sadness, joy, grief, anger, shame, happiness. While adults are often dissociated from feelings, child parts know the reality of feelings.

Child parts may be politically controversial, but they are heroes in my eyes. I marvel at how the years of violence COULDN’T rob them of their joy, their laughter, their ability to play and have fun. They are the very essence of life itself!

To enjoy your delightful child parts, first do whatever it takes to keep them safe right now in the present. Protect those kids with all your heart and strength. Your kids need safety on the outside AND safety on the inside.

Secondly, meet their needs. Give them food, shelter, warmth, comfort, connection, love, security, attention, and peace of mind. Don’t neglect them. Give them everything they needed then, and everything they need now.

Let your child parts grow naturally in safety, security, love, and understanding. This positive nurturing will allow healthy development that will be felt throughout your entire person. It’s good for them, and it’s the central key of healing for you.