This coming week - 3rd-9th February -
is Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week in the UK.
You may be wondering why I mention this in a writing
blog. After all, it’s not a pleasant topic. Maybe it’s not the sort of thing
you want to read about on a Sunday morning (or whenever you come to this post) …but
maybe it is.
One of the most powerful aspects of writing, in my
opinion, is that it can open up conversations that would be difficult, perhaps even
impossible, in person, that it can create connections that provide empathy and
support for people struggling with difficult issues.
Twenty years ago, the topic of sexual abuse is not one I
could have raised in person. Even if I could have overcome the shame and fear
which kept me silent, I wouldn’t have known who to speak to or how to begin the
conversation, but I was hungry for advice, for wisdom, for someone who might understand.
For me, that was provided through reading others’ writing
- first through a book, then through a blog, written by a wonderfully kind and
patient woman who took time to engage with me and respond to my comments and
questions. In time, bolstered by the encouragement and support I had received,
it enabled me to find my voice and speak out in person, but I doubt I would
ever have done that without those writers willing to tackle a topic which many would
avoid.
When I began writing, I knew that I wanted to pay it
forward – to be the one who would encourage others and empower them to find
their voice. While I do have a passion to raise awareness around the topic of
sexual abuse (something that probably impacts around 1 in 10, although the
hidden nature of abuse means establishing exact figures is impossible), my
greater passion is to point people to the hope and healing that is found in
Jesus.
Often, when you write on a topic like this, you have no
idea of the impact. You send your words out in faith and pray that they reach
those who need them. But I know that there are countless people out there silently searching
and scrolling, longing for hope and comfort in all kinds of situations but lacking
the ability to speak up and ask.
Writing is a powerful tool, which allows them to engage
anonymously if they need to, to see that they are not alone, to grow in courage
and hope.
While it is not an easy thing to share your own story or
write about your own struggles, I’ve seen for myself that it is something God
can use.
What about you? Feel free to share in the comments about your
own experience of writing about difficult parts of your story or being impacted
by others’ writing.
If you would like to read more about healing from sexual
abuse, I’d recommend visiting Journey
To Heal Ministries.
Lesley Crawford blogs at Life In The Spacious Place and contributes regularly at Gracefully Truthful. She has written One Big Story, a Bible curriculum for school groups and contributed to various anthologies, including the ACW anthology, "Merry Christmas, Everyone" and "The Jesse Tree Anthology".
Comments
Post a Comment