You made it through another year. Maybe this was the year you named what happened as abuse for the first time. Maybe you told someone. Maybe you reported. Maybe you started therapy. Maybe you simply survived. Whatever this year held, you're still here. And that matters.
LOOKING BACK
A year ago, you might have been:
But this year, you've learned:
Knowledge is power. You're more powerful than you were.
WHAT YOU'VE SURVIVED
Healing from clergy abuse requires:
This is massive emotional labor. And you've done it.
THE HARD TRUTH ABOUT HEALING
Healing isn't linear. Some days: strong, clear, ready to fight. Other days: broken, confused, questioning everything. Both are normal. Trauma healing is waves, not a straight line.
WHAT COMES NEXT
As this year ends, ask yourself: What do I need in the coming year? Maybe: Finding a therapist, deciding whether to report, setting boundaries, rebuilding spirituality, connecting with survivors, pursuing legal action, or just... resting. What can I release? Maybe: Shame, responsibility for his actions, need for family to understand, pressure to forgive, expectations about healing timeline. What do I want to reclaim? Maybe: Sense of safety, trust in judgment, spiritual identity, body autonomy, voice.
TOOLS YOU NOW HAVE
After this year, you have: ✓ Language to describe what happened ✓ Understanding of power dynamics ✓ Knowledge of your legal rights ✓ Resources for support ✓ Strategies for boundaries ✓ Permission to heal on your timeline
A REMINDER FOR HARD DAYS
When you doubt yourself:
MOVING FORWARD
Next year, this newsletter will continue providing resources, survivor stories, and advocacy. You're not alone in this.
THE BOTTOM LINE
You made it through this year. Whether you reported or stayed silent, stayed in faith or walked away, rebuilt relationships or cut contact — you survived. Survival is the foundation of everything else. You are not alone. You are not powerless. You deserve to be whole. And you're further along than you think.
RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 | Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 | The Hope of Survivors: thehopeofsurvivors.org | Restored Voices Collective: restoredvoicescollective.com | Awake Community: awakecommunity.org You deserve support. Take care. 💙