Survivors of childhood sexual abuse often have conflicting feelings and opinions about the child they were at the time of the abuse. A Childhood sexual abuse survivor might be mad at the child they were back then for not fighting back, not running away, or not telling. There might be the feeling that this child caused the abuse and therefore is responsible for the pain being felt now as an adult. Many of these feelings end up internalized as anger or resentment towards an inner child, representative of a childhood self.
Some survivors may have the feeling that their abused child self is someone else, not themselves at a younger age, and acknowledging that you are the adult version of this child who experienced the abuse can be scary. You did go through the abuse as a child, and you survived. Reconnecting with, forgiving, and healing this hurt inner child can be an important part of healing from Childhood sexual abuse.
Healing your inner child can be very intense work, and it is recommended that you have a strong support system.
Some survivors may have the feeling that their abused child self is someone else, not themselves at a younger age, and acknowledging that you are the adult version of this child who experienced the abuse can be scary. You did go through the abuse as a child, and you survived. Reconnecting with, forgiving, and healing this hurt inner child can be an important part of healing from Childhood sexual abuse.
Healing your inner child can be very intense work, and it is recommended that you have a strong support system.