Carol C. Boyce: Healing Hidden Wounds and Finding Strength
I think it's facing that fact that if you survive severe trauma in your childhood, it's always going to be with you, and I think you've got to come to some level of peace with that.
What happens when the seemingly perfect family hides dark secrets? In this episode of 'Stop Child Abuse Now', Carol C. Boyce from Sacramento, California, bravely shares her journey of uncovering and healing from childhood sexual abuse. Carol, an accomplished author and advocate, dives deep into her experiences, chronicled in her book 'First, I Believe You; A True Story of Healing from Hidden Memories'.
She opens up about the challenges she faced as her repressed memories surfaced, leading to a diagnosis of Complex PTSD. Carol describes the facade of her 'best family on the block' and the internal chaos that began unraveling in her thirties. With two young children to care for, she battled nightmares, panic attacks, and moments of sheer terror. Her story is one of relentless pursuit of healing and truth.
Carol emphasizes the importance of believing survivors and the impact that validation can have on their recovery. Throughout the episode, Carol's resilience and determination shine brightly. She discusses the complexities of PTSD, the importance of support systems, and the role of advocacy in helping survivors. Her insights into the legal and justice issues surrounding child abuse cases add another layer of depth to the conversation.
If you've ever wondered about the long-term effects of childhood trauma or how to support someone through their healing journey, Carol's story offers valuable perspectives. Her message is clear: healing is possible, and it starts with believing survivors.