MSI Press Blog

  Excerpt from  Healing from Incest   by Geri Henderson and Seanne Emerton: Child Sexual Abuse Statistics [1] The prevalence of child sexual abuse is difficult to determine because it is often not reported; experts agree that the incidence is far greater than what is reported to authorities. Child sex abuse (CSA) is also not uniformly defined, so statistics may vary. Statistics below represent some of the research done on child sexual abuse. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Children’s Bureau report Child Maltreatment 2010 found that 9.2% of victimized children were sexually assaulted (page 24). Studies by David Finkelhor [2] , Director of the Crimes Against Children Research Center [3] , show that: ●       1 in 5 girls and 1 in 20 boys is a victim of child sexual abuse; ●       Self-report studies show that 20% of adult females and 5-10% of adult males recall a childhood sexual assault or sexua...

  There are wounds so deep they seem to fracture time itself—splintering childhood from adulthood, memory from meaning, and trust from safety. Incest is one of those wounds. It is not just a violation of the body, but of the sacred trust that binds families. And yet, healing is possible. Not linear, not easy—but possible. 🧠 The Psychology of Healing Survivors of incest often carry complex trauma, shaped by betrayal, secrecy, and shame. According to trauma expert Christine Courtois, healing requires a  stage-oriented approach : Safety and Stabilization : Before revisiting trauma, survivors must build emotional regulation skills and a sense of safety in relationships. Processing the Trauma : This may involve talk therapy, EMDR, expressive arts, or somatic approaches to gently access and reframe traumatic memories. Reconnection and Integration : Survivors begin to reclaim their identity, build healthy relationships, and redefine their sense of self beyond the abuse. Jennifer Fre...

  There are wounds so deep they seem to fracture time itself—splintering childhood from adulthood, memory from meaning, and trust from safety. Incest is one of those wounds. It is not just a violation of the body, but of the sacred trust that binds families. And yet, healing is possible. Not linear, not easy—but possible. 🧠 The Psychology of Healing Survivors of incest often carry complex trauma, shaped by betrayal, secrecy, and shame. According to trauma expert Christine Courtois, healing requires a stage-oriented approach : Safety and Stabilization : Before revisiting trauma, survivors must build emotional regulation skills and a sense of safety in relationships. Processing the Trauma : This may involve talk therapy, EMDR, expressive arts, or somatic approaches to gently access and reframe traumatic memories. Reconnection and Integration : Survivors begin to reclaim their identity, build healthy relationships, and redefine their sense of self beyond the abuse. Jennifer Fr...