Overcoming Guilt: Why Childhood Trauma Survivors Don't Report Abuse and How to Heal
Peggy 
This podcast episode was created with AI. The conversation is created from the YouTube video with the same name. Because it is AI, there may be mispronunciations, mistakes, or possibly things that may be inaccurate as it relates to the actual message of the video. I am including the video for you to watch the full episode if you like or prefer.
Episode Description:
There are many themes that come up through the healing journey. Guilt is a big one. One that burrows deep inside yet has never been your guilt to carry.
Today I am responding to a question about guilt around not speaking up or reporting the abuse and the ways it can reinforce responsibility and shame.
I’ll dive into the complexities of what can seem, on the surface, to be fairly straightforward.
If you’ve struggled with this, you are not alone. 💜
Only you can decide if, when, and with whom you will share.
This episode originally aired on YouTube.
Video Episode:
Don’t want to wait for the next episode? Head over to my YouTube Channel, Peggy Oliveira MSW, with over 800 videos about Impact & Healing from Childhood Trauma.
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This podcast is for informational purposes and is not mental health advice nor a replacement for professional mental health treatment.
Episode Notes:
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Disclosure is a deeply personal and complex decision: Survivors struggle with whether to disclose childhood trauma due to societal, emotional, and personal factors. The decision involves numerous nuanced aspects that vary for each individual.
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The reality of being believed is often discouraging: Many survivors, especially children, are not believed or supported when they disclose abuse. This can deter others from coming forward, as the likelihood of perpetrators being held accountable remains small.
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Guilt and responsibility often weigh heavily: Survivors may feel guilt for not speaking up, fearing that their silence allowed further harm. However, the abuser is the sole person responsible for their actions, not the survivor.
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Healing requires releasing false responsibility: Survivors must focus on self-compassion and healing, understanding that the belief that disclosure would have stopped the abuser is often a false narrative. The focus should shift to self-care and letting go of misplaced guilt.
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Each survivor's journey is unique: Decisions around disclosure depend on individual circumstances, support systems, and personal readiness. No one can dictate the "right" choice for someone else, as healing and safety are deeply personal.
Helpful Tools for Your Healing Journey
Returning to Wholeness Journal Course
A journey for survivors of childhood trauma of learning to trust and embody the TRUTH of who you've always been.
Learn more
Sacred Boundaries
A journey of honoring heart, mind, body & soul. Boundaries are hard. This course will help you recognize what you need and how to move through the obstacles keeping you form implementing it.
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