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Was It Really Sexual Abuse? 10 Myths that Make us Doubt the Reality.

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Was it really sexual abuse? 10 myths that make us doubt the reality.

Song of Songs

Be.Loved

Be.Loved

It was almost a year ago when I realized for the first time in 39 years that I could truly…

Read More Be.Loved

I'm so happy you're here.

My name is Michelle Viscuse, and my passion is to inspire women to have courage, hope, and freedom in Jesus Christ. I am a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, and Jesus delivered me from my past filled with secrets and shame.
He will do the same for you.

Freedom is possible with Jesus.

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I felt so alone. It was such a difficult season. Y

I felt so alone. It was such a difficult season. Years ago, after a tough counseling session, I heard a song that lifted my spirits. It was a song from the movie Sister Act 2, “His Eye Is on The Sparrow,” sung by Lauryn Hill and Tanya Blount. Around that same time, I started noticing and taking pictures of birds. Each image reminded me that God was with me and caring for me.
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Even today, if I see a bird, I will take out my phone and try to grab a picture before they fly away.
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Those images and that song remind me of a time when I wasn’t sure it would ever get better, yet GOD made a way. He lifted me out of the pit.
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Difficult seasons come and go, and sometimes they outstay their welcome. When life gets hard and I am low, I look up. Occasionally, I will see a bird and get a picture. I sing along, believing.
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He watches me. I am not forgotten. He already knows.
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Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Luke 12:6-7
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Do you have a go-to image, song, or verse that reminds you of how God turned things around and assures you of His faithfulness when you are facing a hard season? Please share. I would love to hear about your song, image or verse! 💕

🚩Predators push boundaries to gauge your reacti

🚩Predators push boundaries to gauge your reaction.
THIS IS A TEST!
Sadly, an abuse victim is completely vulnerable.
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Let me tell you how I know: it happened to me again & again. If someone touched me inappropriately - I froze. I had no concept of saying no because I had been conditioned to be quiet & still.
➡️ Here’s 1 example: One time a predator put his hand on my backside, & I said nothing thinking maybe it was an accident. Later that day, he did the same thing to my friend, & she slapped him. Who will the predator continue to prey on? 🙋🏻‍♀️
It’s not that I was “easy,” I was vulnerable. I didn’t have boundaries or a voice. I couldn’t say no or slap him. Besides, I was 14 and he was well over twice my age.
It wasn’t my fault. I was frozen. There’s fight or flight – but this is called “freeze”. My trauma response was to freeze.
I can see this clearly now, but back then it reinforced something was wrong with me.
Just a few weeks ago on vacation, I dropped my husband off in front of Fenway Park. I grabbed my phone to take a picture. I saw a cyclist coming towards us, but my husband couldn’t see him. He gave me a hug, & I couldn’t say anything. I was frozen in shock as the cyclist came towards us. He didn’t slow down until he was right between us. It happened so fast.
Thankfully, we were all okay.
I got into the car thinking, What just happened? Why didn’t I say anything? Scream, move, something?
My nervous system was in overload as I drove to the aquarium. We were only 4 miles away and it took 45 minutes to get there because I kept going through the wrong tunnels.
I was able to walk around the aquarium for a few hours and use all my senses, to help calm down my nervous system. I am older & wiser now, & I don’t freeze often, but it still happens to me.
Imagine what it is like for a child who has no idea why it keeps happening? And, think about them getting hurt & taken advantage of in the process?
🚩 Always pay attention when someone you love has experienced abuse. They are vulnerable. Learn about their trauma responses & triggers.
⚠️The person you think is “easy” may be dealing with horrific abuse. Be a safe person for them. Help them.

Grooming is not always the same. Some stages may b

Grooming is not always the same. Some stages may be skipped or occur in a different order etc.
➡️Grooming happens to kids, teens, & adults so tactics & techniques vary
➡️It happens in person & online
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Understanding these concepts is important, because it most often happens in the “safety” of home, school, church, etc.
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Predators behave in a way that makes you think they are charming, trustworthy & kind, but they are grooming you too to doubt that they are capable of harm.
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It’s so important to listen to your gut & pay attention to any red flags such as:
🚩 They create opportunities to be alone. Ex. Can you stay after school & work on this project? Cell phones, social media, & the internet make this process even easier because it can be happening right in front of you while you are watching a movie in the living room as a family.
🚩 They appear to be helping or meeting a need. Ex. “I can bring her home from practice, I live just a few miles away.”
🚩 They are very nice (at first), give extra attention, show favoritism to make their victim feel special. If you notice something, ask questions like: “Where did you get that candy bar, bracelet, money etc? Oh, coach gave it to you? Did everyone get one?”
🚩The mood/vibe changes & it can be subtle because the victim has had positive experiences with this person, but now suddenly dreads getting in the car with them or staying after school, or maybe seems agitated or uncomfortable after encounters or just different than before.
🚩 The secrecy & shame keep the victim silent. They have been made to think that it’s their fault, no one will believe them, & they will be in trouble too. Pay attention to what you say when talking about other cases. “I don’t think he would ever do that! He’s such a Godly man.” Saying something like that affirms what the predator has promised - no one will believe you! So, the victim will continue to stay silent.
🚩 Boundaries are crossed. Ex. Tickling, hand on leg, playing with hair may seem innocent at first - but they are gauging your reaction. They are testing! Someone who’s already been abused is very vulnerable.
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Tomorrow I’ll tell you how I know. 🚩

A big part of preventing and healing from sexual a

A big part of preventing and healing from sexual abuse is recognizing and understanding the concepts of grooming.
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I’m going to talk about all 10 slides and give examples. I hope you will be a part of the conversation to help promote healing and prevention.
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Follow along @journeypink @journeypinkteens
&
Subscribe at
www.journeypink.com
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Let’s do this!
#journeypink #grooming #sexualabusesurvivors #sexualabuseawareness #prevention #healing #freedom #courage #hope

It’s Tea Time! 🫖 Grab your Mom, your Daughter

It’s Tea Time!
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Grab your Mom, your Daughter, your Aunt or any Galantine you choose!
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Join us on February 11 from 2pm-4pm in Roxboro, NC as we fellowship and learn about 2 women led missions.
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Journey Pink and Cry Freedom Missions collide to spill the tea on the hows and whys of their work. You don’t want to miss this! Register on Facebook (search Tea Talk - Women to Women). @phendy72
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@sherryclaytonrealtor from @cfmroxboroshoppe @michelleviscuse from @journeypink @journeypinkteens
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www.cryfreedommissions.com
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www.journeypink.com
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“So let us come boldly to the throne of our grac

“So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭4‬:‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

© 2022 Journey Pink

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