Very important. This has affected my family and was not dealt with properly. I’m not the victim, but I worry about how it will affect my family member later in life because of how it was mishandled.
I deeply appreciate your essay for shining a spotlight on the critical and often-overlooked discussions around COCSA. As a survivor, I spent decades in denial about my childhood abuses, largely because I didn’t know how to name them. I believed the universal terms and understanding of sexual abuse applied to experiences far outside or above what I had endured. Until now, I was unaware of COCSA as a concept and had accepted what happened to me as just an unfortunate chapter in my life.
Even in conversations with therapists and fellow survivors, I had yet to name my experience as COCSA. Reading your essay has brought me a deeper sense of clarity and recognition. I am particularly affirmed by the increasing awareness and advocacy from figures like Keke Palmer, whose courage further underscores the need for conversations like these. Thank you for creating this essential piece—it is both a reference and a source of affirmation for those of us still navigating the complexities of healing.
I did not know that there was a term for this. Thank you for providing language for an experience that’s had a significant impact on my family dynamics.
We need to figure out how to confront these issues. No it’s not easy, yes it will probably get worse before it gets better, but healing must happen. The silence is the most damning thing — not talking about it, not addressing it as a family. That is the real curse that needs to be broken.
Your essay is the first door to the knowledge that I am neither alien nor alone but there is a name I can refer to. This alone feels freeing. I thank you for taking the time to write and the guts to publish this essay. May love be your guardian.
whew! I felt this!!! We often are told to act like it wasn’t real or it didn’t happen. Hopefully, one day we all can save the next generation. We have to continue to talk about it, inform parents/adults and look at ourselves. Thank you for sharing.
Very important. This has affected my family and was not dealt with properly. I’m not the victim, but I worry about how it will affect my family member later in life because of how it was mishandled.
It’s such a tricky topic that some people refuse to acknowledge but it has to be done and properly. Sending you and your family healing.
Keke Palmer’s interview helped me to exhale a bit, and your piece furthered that. Thank you. You have no idea🫶
Yes, same. I felt so alone until KeKe & Chrisean opened up about. Thank you for receiving this and engaging. Sending you love 💗
Wow I really needed this
Thank you for shedding a light on this
Thank you for accepting.
I deeply appreciate your essay for shining a spotlight on the critical and often-overlooked discussions around COCSA. As a survivor, I spent decades in denial about my childhood abuses, largely because I didn’t know how to name them. I believed the universal terms and understanding of sexual abuse applied to experiences far outside or above what I had endured. Until now, I was unaware of COCSA as a concept and had accepted what happened to me as just an unfortunate chapter in my life.
Even in conversations with therapists and fellow survivors, I had yet to name my experience as COCSA. Reading your essay has brought me a deeper sense of clarity and recognition. I am particularly affirmed by the increasing awareness and advocacy from figures like Keke Palmer, whose courage further underscores the need for conversations like these. Thank you for creating this essential piece—it is both a reference and a source of affirmation for those of us still navigating the complexities of healing.
Thank you for speaking about this
I did not know that there was a term for this. Thank you for providing language for an experience that’s had a significant impact on my family dynamics.
We need to figure out how to confront these issues. No it’s not easy, yes it will probably get worse before it gets better, but healing must happen. The silence is the most damning thing — not talking about it, not addressing it as a family. That is the real curse that needs to be broken.
Deep sigh even before I read…..
Your essay is the first door to the knowledge that I am neither alien nor alone but there is a name I can refer to. This alone feels freeing. I thank you for taking the time to write and the guts to publish this essay. May love be your guardian.
Black celebrities coming out has really helped my healing process and forgiving my loved one.
whew! I felt this!!! We often are told to act like it wasn’t real or it didn’t happen. Hopefully, one day we all can save the next generation. We have to continue to talk about it, inform parents/adults and look at ourselves. Thank you for sharing.