EMOTIONAL WOUND THESAURUS

CHILDHOOD SEXUAL ABUSE BY A KNOWN PERSON



Never struggle with Show-and-Tell again. Activate your free trial or subscribe to view the Emotional Wound Thesaurus in its entirety, or visit the Table of Contents to explore unlocked entries.

CHOOSE MY PLAN

HELPFUL TIP:

Emotional wounds will steer a character's behavior, corrupt his worldview, and cause negative traits to form. To understand exactly how this occurs, please read our tutorial for the Wound Thesaurus.

NOTE: We realize that sometimes a wound we profile may have personal meaning, stirring up the past for some of our readers. It is not our intent to create emotional turmoil. Please know that we research each wounding topic carefully to treat it with the utmost respect.
NOTES:
This kind of abuse encompasses sexual behaviors, touching, or penetration. While it can be inflicted by a stranger, this entry will focus on what happens when the abuser is a trusted individual with access to the child, such as a relative, family friend, teacher, classmate, parent of a close friend, or babysitter.

WOUND CATEGORY:
Crime and Victimization, Misplaced Trust and Betrayals, Traumatic Events

BASIC NEEDS OFTEN COMPROMISED BY THIS WOUND:
physiological needs, safety and security, love and belonging, esteem and recognition, self-actualization

LIES THAT MAY DEVELOP FOR CHARACTERS WITH THIS WOUND:
It was their fault; they invited it because of something they said or did
They deserved it because they're worthless (or a bad daughter, student, athlete, friend, etc.)
No one can be trusted, even the people closest to them
When they're friendly or helpful, people hurt them
They must have wanted it because they didn't fight back (or say no, struggle hard enough, resist, etc.)
They're powerless to change their life for the better
They're broken now, beyond repair
When you trust people, they hurt you
Bad people only deserve bad things
No one could ever love someone as terrible as them
Standing out (by excelling, being talented, wearing nice clothing, etc.) is an invitation to be hurt
It's better to be alone than to be betrayed
Love is a weapon used to hurt people

THE CHARACTER MAY FEAR:
...

POSSIBLE RESPONSES AND RESULTS:
...

POSITIVE ATTRIBUTES THAT MAY RESULT:
...

NEGATIVE TRAITS THAT MAY RESULT:
...

TRIGGERS THAT MIGHT AGGRAVATE THIS WOUND:
...

STEPS TOWARD HEALING:
...

OPPORTUNITIES TO FACE OR OVERCOME THIS WOUND:
...