You are not alone

A traumatic experience affects your life in multiple ways therefore, you may need additional supports.

There are various resources available locally and nationally.

National Resources

CARI: Provides child-centred therapy for children & adolescents who have been affected by sexual abuse. Phone: 061 582 224- Email: hello@cari.ie

Crime Victims Helpline :The Crime Victims Helpline is a confidential national helpline that offers support, informs and empowers victims of crime and those affected by crime in Ireland. They can tell you about specialist services for victims of particular crimes such as domestic violence, sexual abuse and rape. Free Phone: 116 006 - Text: 085 133 7711- Email: info@crimevictimshelpline.ie

Men’s Aid: Information & resources for men who are experiencing domestic violence. Phone: 01 554 3811 — Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm. Email: hello@mensaid.ie

Men's Development Network: Services & resources for men. Phone: 051 844260/1  - Email: men@mensnetwork.ie

National Youth Council of Ireland-Youth Mental Health Signposting Tool : The youth mental health signposting tool aims to provide young people, parents, caregivers, and those working with young people, with reliable up to date information on where to access supports and services at both a local and national level for a variety of mental health issues.

One in four: Their programmes help adults who have experienced childhood sexual abuse, their families, and those who have engaged in sexually harmful behaviour. They work in all aspects of sexual violence in an effort to break the cycle of abuse. Email: info@oneinfour.ie -Phone: 01 66 24070

Pieta House: Suicide Prevention and Support –Pieta provides Therapy to those impacted by suicidal ideation and engaging in self-harm, as well as those bereaved by suicide. If you are in crisis now, you can freephone their 24-hour hour crisis helpline at 1800 247 247 or text 'HELP' to 51444.

Rape Crisis Help: Information on sexual violence services nationwide. You can call the 24-Hour Helpline on 1800 778888

Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI): Information, advocacy and resources for survivors of rape and sensual assault. See the Guide to the Legal process for survivors of sexual violence

Safe Ireland: Provides information & resources for domestic abuse survivors.

TUSLA: Child and Family Agency - Services & resources for the development, welfare and protection of children, and the effective functioning of families.   

Women’s Aid: Information & resources for domestic abuse survivors- They give advice on how you can help yourself and others. Phone: 1800 341 900 — 24 hours a day.

“We're all in this together. It's okay, to be honest. It's okay to ask for help. It's okay to say you're stuck, or that you're haunted, or that you can't begin to let go. ….. Break the silence and break the cycle, for you are more than just your pain. You are not alone. And people need other people.” (Jamie Tworkowski, 2015)

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Local Resources

Aware Waterford: Aware is the national organisation providing support, education and information services for those impacted by depression, bipolar disorder and other mood related conditions. https://www.aware.ie/support/support-groups/ Phone: Free support line-1800 80 48 48- Monday-Sunday 10am-10pm-01 6617211- Email: supportmail@aware.ie-

Barnardos Family Support Waterford :  Barnardos family support project is based in the Ballybeg community and provides support to families across Waterford city, mid county and Dungarvan. The service aims to promote the emotional wellbeing and positive learning outcomes for children. Phone: 051 844140 - Email: info@ballybeg.barnardos.ie -128 Clonard Park, Ballybeg, Waterford- X91 V344.

Citizens Information Centre : Provides information on your rights & entitlements. Merchants Quay CIC, 41 Merchant's Quay, Waterford, X91 YA89 and Waterford CIC- 37 Lower Yellow Road, Waterford, X91 C7WT.  Phone: 0818 07 6560 Email: waterford@citinfo.ie  

GARDA : If you are in immediate danger or there is an emergency, you should dial the Garda emergency number at 999 or 112. For non-urgent matters, you can make a report to your local Garda Station. Phone: +35351305300. Waterford Garda Station, Patrick Street, Waterford, Co. Waterford, X91 A076.

Oasis House Women’s Refuge: Provides a safe supported place for women and women with their children who are victims of domestic abuse and emergency accommodation for homeless women and homeless women with their children. Phone: 051 370367 / Helpline: 0818 272 372- 24 hours 7 days a week -Email: projectworker@oasishouse.ie

Tintean Housing Association : Provides accommodation with support, in a safe environment, to women and families who present as homeless. Email: admin@tinteanhousing.eu  Phone: (0)51 844 076.

Pieta House Waterford : Suicide Prevention and Support. Pieta provides Therapy to those impacted by suicidal ideation and engaging in self-harm, as well as those bereaved by suicide. If you are in crisis now, you can freephone their 24-hour hour crisis helpline at 1800 247 247 or text 'HELP' to 51444. To start your therapy journey (free of charge) or to access information on therapy for you or someone you are concerned about please call 0818 111 126. Monday to Friday 8am-9pm, and Saturday 9am-2pm -Phone: (051) 858510 - 20 Waterside, Waterford City Waterford X91 RC53.

Waterford Parent Hub    : Provides supports for Parents/caregivers in Waterford City and County in their parenting role. Phone: 085 873 7414 - Email: Waterfordparenthub@brillfrc.ie

Knowledge is POWER

These books may be used as guides to the process of healing for those who have survived trauma and sexual abuse in childhood, adult sexual abuse survivors and their families and therapists who want to advance their knowledge and skills in this area. 

Please note, if you had a traumatic experience and find it difficult to come to terms with your past, it is highly recommended that reading through these books is supported by working with a qualified and experienced therapist.

 

  •  Chopich, E. J. , Paul, M. (1990). Healing Your Aloneness: Finding love and wholeness through your inner child  (1st ed.). Bravo Ltd.

    This guide reveals how the logical thinking part of us, the adult, often becomes estranged from the instinctual part that gives rise to intensity and emotions, the child. The authors explain how this fragmentation creates inner tensions that both undercut a person's ability to gain happiness and lead to loneliness and emptiness, addiction and co-dependency. It outlines a self-healing process that can be used every day to restore a balance between the adult and child.

         This can be accompanied by the workbook below:

  • Bass, E. and Davis, L. (2003).  Beginning to Heal (Revised Edition.).  William Morrow Paperbacks.       

    Beginning to Heal is s an inspiring, comprehensive guide that offers hope and encouragement to every woman who was sexually abused as a child—and those who care about her. Although the effects of child sexual abuse are long-term and severe, healing is possible.    This can be accompanied by the workbook below                                                  

  •  Davis, L. (1990). The Courage to Heal Workbook: A guide for women and men survivors of child sexual abuse (1st ed.). Harper Perennial.

    An in-depth workbook that speaks to all women and men healing from the effects of child sexual abuse. The combination of checklists, writing and art projects, open-ended questions and activities expertly guides the survivor through the healing process. Includes survival skills, aspects of healing and guidelines for healing sexually.                                                                                                                                   

  • Fisher, J. (2021). Transforming the Living Legacy of Trauma: A Workbook for survivors and therapists. PESI Publishing & Media.                Offers: Step-by-step strategies that can be used on their own or in collaboration with a therapist. Simple diagrams that make sense of the confusing feelings and physical reactions survivors experience. Worksheets to practice the skills that bring relief and ultimately healing).

  • Higdon Jones, S. (2018). Healing Steps: A gentle path to recovery for survivors of childhood sexual abuse (1st ed.). Inner Journey Publishing.

    Sharyn Higdon Jones, MA, MFT, is a licensed therapist and a survivor of sexual abuse. This book is a step-by-step guide to healing from the deep pain of early sexual abuse. If you’re a sexual abuse survivor, it’s difficult to know how to begin freeing yourself of the past so you can be fully present for your future. Let this book be your guide. And if you’re currently in therapy (or if you are a therapist) and want a focus for your work, this book can be used as a blueprint for your therapeutic work.

  • Jean, E. (2021). Breaking Free: Recognising & Surviving Controlling Behaviours.  Independently published. 

    Anyone can end up in a controlling situation, no matter how intelligent or high-achieving you may be. This book not only shows clearly red-flag behaviour divided into easy-to-understand types, it also offers sensible advice on how to escape, and details of organisations who can help.