Finding Your Voice
Sharing your truth is the first powerful step towards healing, allowing you to find the safety and support you deserve.
Your Voice Matters
Opening up about what’s been happening to you can be scary, hard, and incredibly painful. Please know that you are not alone.
Your voice matters and deserves to be heard.
Speaking up about abuse is one of the most courageous things you can do. By finding your voice, you’re taking back control. This is the first important step toward healing. Your voice matters, not just for your own well-being, but also potentially to help to protect others.
When you speak out, you shine a light on the truth, breaking the silence that allows abuse to continue.
And as you speak your truth, you open the door to support, understanding, hope, and healing.
Living and speaking your truth is going to look different for everyone.
What this would do to my family weighed heavily on me but, ultimately, I chose to speak up because holding it in became unbearable. I felt like I was betraying myself by not communicating who this person was and what they had done.
As soon as it was out, I felt relief.
Understanding Your Feelings
It’s completely normal to feel overwhelming and potentially conflicting emotions after experiencing abuse. You might feel scared, confused, angry, guilty, or even ashamed.
Whatever feelings you have are valid.
What happened to you wasn’t your fault, and it’s okay to feel unsure or scared about what comes next. Every victim of abuse processes their experiences differently and there’s no “right” way to feel. Whatever emotions you’re experiencing, they are a natural response to a difficult situation.
You deserve to be heard and supported, no matter how complicated your feelings might be. Remember, you are not alone and it’s okay to take your time as you work through your emotions.
Steps To Speaking Up
Finding the courage to tell your story can be overwhelming but breaking it down into small steps can make it easier.
Protect yourself. If you are in immediate danger call local law enforcement at 9-1-1 or the Child Protective Services hotline at 1-800-252-5400.
Identify someone you trust. If abuse has previously occured and you are ready to open up about what happened, choose a friend, family member, teacher, or counselor with whom you feel safe and supported.
Organize your thoughts. Consider writing down what you want to say. Putting your thoughts on paper may help you manage your emotions and give you the confidence to speak your truth.
Breathe. It’s completely normal to feel scared, nervous, and overwhelmed. These emotions are your body’s natural response to a difficult situation, and it’s okay to acknowledge them. When you start to feel anxiety creeping in, take a moment to pause and focus on your breathing. Deep, slow breaths can help calm your mind and bring your emotions back in check.
Hope and Healing
After a report of abuse, the Children’s Advocacy Center of Hidalgo and Starr Counties will work with a team of partners including law enforcement and child protective services to help make sure that you get treatment and support.
You are not alone. Our community stands up for young victims, like you, and will help you feel safe and find your way forward. There is hope and healing after abuse.
Learn more about the work we do at CACHSC.
Advocate For Change
Your voice matters more than you may realize. Speaking out against abuse is not only a powerful step in your own healing journey, but it also creates momentum for change. By sharing your story, advocating for change, and raising awareness, you are playing an important role in helping to break the cycle of abuse and empower others who may be suffering in silence.
Your courage can inspire understanding and action to ultimately build a future, here in the RGV, where child abuse is recognized, confronted, and prevented. You have the power to make a difference—for yourself and for others who need to know they are not alone.
IF YOU ARE IN IMMEDIATE DANGER call local law enforcement at 9-1-1 or the Child Protective Services hotline at 1-800-252-5400.