Several years ago, while working in a local caf\u00e9, I was asked to complete an e-module on Child & Adult Safeguarding. As I read through the examples of how young people might be groomed, something unexpected happened:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I started to relate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was a massive shock to suddenly question whether the sexual experiences I had normalised as a child and teenager had actually been abusive. Confused and unsettled, I turned to the internet for answers. I created an anonymous account on Reddit and asked a community of gay men whether what I had gone through \u201ccounted\u201d as abuse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even then, I wasn\u2019t ready to accept the reality. When I eventually began therapy a year later, I was still in denial. But as I shared parts of my history with my therapist, I received the confirmation I\u2019d been looking for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Coming to terms with what happened was a painful and confronting process. I realised that many of my struggles\u2014struggles I had assumed were just part of who I was\u2014were actually rooted in trauma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Recontextualising and processing the abuse was both difficult and liberating. With the support of a warm, compassionate, and trustworthy therapist, I was able to piece together the truth of my experiences, challenge the myths I had internalised, and begin to integrate my past.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was the hardest work I\u2019ve ever done, and also the most freeing<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That journey changed me. It gave me not only a deeper understanding of myself but also a strong sense of purpose: to support others<\/strong> who may be wrestling with similar questions, doubts, or pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Male and non-binary survivors are often left out of the wider conversation about abuse and trauma. Too many are silenced by shame, fear, or misconceptions about what it means to be a man, to be queer, or to simply be human after abuse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I want to offer the same kind of compassionate, steady support that I was lucky enough to receive so that others can find their own liberation and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019d like to know more about how I support survivors, you can read about my approach on my Counselling for Male & Non-Binary Survivors page<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhy I Do This Work<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Learn More<\/h3>\n\n\n\n