Post-Traumatic Growth
Moving beyond survival towards a life of meaning, strength and renewed purpose. Post-traumatic growth represents the positive psychological change that can emerge from your healing journey.
What is Post-Traumatic Growth?
Post-traumatic growth is the experience of positive change that can develop as a result of working through trauma. It's not about returning to who you were before, but discovering new strengths, deeper relationships, and a greater appreciation for life. This growth often emerges after you've done the foundational work of healing and represents a natural progression in your ongoing journey.
Navigating Growth Whilst Honouring Your Journey
Even in growth, challenges naturally arise as you continue to heal and develop:
Feeling guilty about positive changes - wondering if you "deserve" to feel better or move forward
Fear of vulnerability - worrying that opening yourself to growth means risking being hurt again
Pressure to "be grateful" - feeling that others expect you to focus only on the positives of your experience
Uncertainty about identity - questioning who you are as you change and grow beyond your trauma
Managing setbacks - understanding that difficult days don't erase your progress or growth
Balancing self-care with helping others - learning to maintain your own wellbeing whilst potentially supporting other survivors
Research Shows the Reality of Growth
Recognising the Strength You've Built
You may find yourself forming more authentic, meaningful relationships. Having worked through your own healing, you often develop greater empathy and the ability to connect with others on a deeper level.
Through your journey, you've likely discovered inner resources you didn't know you had. This awareness of your own strength can provide confidence to face future challenges with greater self-assurance.
Many survivors develop a clearer sense of what truly matters to them. This might include new priorities, values, or life goals that feel more aligned with who you've become through your healing process.
Survivor Resources & Research
Learning from other survivors journeys can be a powerful tool, and make you feel much less alone. Access specialist articles, survivor stories, and evidence-based research about childhood sexual violence recovery and support.
Articles and guides covering trauma responses, recovery stages, and practical support strategies for survivors of childhood sexual violence.
A curated collection of poems written by survivors of sexual abuse, sharing personal experiences of trauma, healing, and recovery. *Please note that whilst this content is moderated you may find some of it triggering so please take care*
Key findings from our research , revealing crucial insights into sexual violence and abuse, how survivors access support services, costs to the NHS and survivor experiences, and more
With your support, we can help more survivors access the support they need when they need it. Every donation directly funds our work to supporting those affected by sexual violence.