The similarities in healing from past abuse and medical trauma, part 1
I was struck by the parallels as a woman with hemophilia and survivor of abuse
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Editor’s note: This story includes discussion of sexual abuse. If you or someone you know needs help, the RAINN national sexual assault hotline in the U.S. is available 24/7 by calling 1-800-656-4673 or texting HOPE to 64673. There is also an online chat at rainn.org/help-and-healing/hotline. Internationally, the University of Minnesota offers a handbook that lists global centers for survivors of sexual assault and harassment.
First in a series.
Saprea is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charity whose mission is to liberate individuals and society from child sexual abuse and its lasting impacts. This is no easy feat. Survivors of childhood sexual abuse often feel an immense amount of guilt and shame, which can be a large obstacle to healing, and a staggering 81% of women and 43% of men in the U.S. experience sexual assault in their lifetime.
Recently, I interviewed Saria Karhunen via email. She is a licensed clinical social worker and the senior retreat manager at Saprea. Last summer, I had the privilege of attending a Saprea retreat. As a woman with hemophilia, I was struck by the similarity of struggles endured by women with bleeding disorders and survivors of sexual abuse. Some women with hemophilia have experienced both.
I asked Karhunen about Saprea’s goals.
“Saprea empowers healing for adults who were sexually abused as children or adolescents through retreats, workshops, support groups, and online resources; engages parents and caregivers to protect children and adolescents from sexual abuse through community education and online resources; and drives awareness to motivate individuals and our partners to take action against child sexual abuse,” Karhunen said.
Saprea offers free resources to help survivors of childhood sexual abuse heal. According to Karhunen, over 6,269 women have attended the Saprea retreat, 1,540 women have participated in the organization’s healing webinars, and over 60 Saprea support groups meet across the globe.
Attending the Saprea retreat
I gained so much from attending the retreat. I learned more about myself and my coping mechanisms, and I identified spaces in my life where shadows of past abuse and coping mechanisms were not presently serving me. Then, I was reminded of the importance of self-care and taught a variety of new tools to help ground me.
“The focus of the retreat is on delivering healing education and mind-body practices specifically designed to help survivors learn tools they can use to manage the impact of trauma in their day-to-day lives,” Karhunen wrote.
This information was valuable to me because my reactions to providers can sometimes be strong. This can happen when I face medical situations where I am not believed or heard.
Karhunen shared what she felt was the pinnacle of the retreat experience. “Personally, I believe that the community aspect of retreat may be the most powerful catalyst for healing. Trauma often makes people feel alone and separate, whereas coming together as a community of survivors is validating and empowering.”
I have experienced the power of group gatherings many times. When women with hemophilia gather and share our stories, strength emerges. We realize we are not alone or crazy, which is healing and empowering.
A surprising lesson from my time at the Saprea retreat was how much the impact of childhood sexual abuse parallels the impact of medical trauma. I asked Karhunen to explain how surviving child sexual abuse might affect the ways people navigate medical trauma.
She said, “Surviving childhood sexual trauma can deeply shape how someone experiences any situation where their body, power, and consent are involved. For survivors, choice and a sense of agency are paramount.”
Parallels between medical trauma and trauma from abuse
I felt and related deeply to Karhunen’s words. Attending medical appointments often makes me feel vulnerable. I feel particularly anxious during appointments when I am not sure my experiences will be validated.
“Medical settings often ask patients to do things (such as get into a gown, or endure physical touch) which can bring up frightening body memories of the abuse,” Karhunen said. “In addition, medical providers can be seen as authority figures, which may trigger fear and mistrust as most survivors were abused by someone in a position of authority over them.”
“Yes!” I thought. So many women with hemophilia have similar fears of medical providers, even if they stem from a different experience.
Feelings can greatly affect a person in a medical office. Karhunen wrote, “Survivors’ nervous systems may experience a freeze response as they are navigating a medical situation, which can lead to passive compliance and failure to ask questions or advocate for themselves. Flight response may also lead to avoidance to address medical concerns or difficulties.”
I have experienced both. There are times when I fight hard for care, but there are also times when I avoid medical professionals altogether. The constant hypervigilance needed for self-protection can be exhausting.
Next week, Karhunen and I discuss the parallels between abuse survivors and women who struggled to obtain a hemophilia diagnosis. We will also share information on how readers can learn more about Saprea.
Note: Hemophilia News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Hemophilia News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to hemophilia.
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