“Call It Assault!” ~ Book Introduction

Hi, and welcome! Thanks for being here. I’m Linda Kay Gifford, childhood sexual assault survivor (CSA), Neuro-Linguistic Practitioner (NLP) specializing in complex-Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (cPTSD; *I prefer the term “Syndrome”, and will generally use it in place of “Disorder”.), and founder of The SWEETSurvivor.com Resource and Rescue Group. I also focus on Relational Sexuality, helping couples where one, or both, partners have CSA-related cPTSD, to recover and grow together emotionally and intimately. 
   
   The news is swamped by the realities of those who were trafficked for profit by pre-meditated pedophiles. You need to understand that, even more pervasive, are the number of victims who experienced, or are experiencing, sexual assault as a child at the hands of a trusted family member, relative, or another known friend or associate. It is estimated that, on average, one in every five American households holds a former, or current, childhood sexual assault victim. That number should shock you!
   
   In my decades long and, often misguided, quest to become self-aware, understand what happened to me, and grow through it despite it and, even because of it, I have learned that the language of society sets sexual assailants up for their desire and their actions. Please hear me! It’s not enough to try to protect your children from sexual predators! (And DON’T call them “Monsters”. They are “Predators”. It’s an important distinction and more about that in Part Two of this book.)

   We must collectively understand and change the FACT that we encourage children to present themselves sexually in society before they have a clue what presenting sexually leads to and, likewise, we condition men to view them as sexually available.
   
   This understanding does not excuse my, or any other, assailant’s actions. But understanding how we all set children up to be commoditized sexually is the only path to building awareness in the general public. And that is what we need - Preventative Awareness! Not shame for the self or shame for the family - AWARENESS!

Awareness leads to clearer vision - Leads to understanding - Leads to ACTION!
   
   Along those lines, I have booked over seventy-five Podcast and TV appearances following this book’s release, and I will be taking my message before legislatures, as well. I will talk with any group, pro or con. They do not scare me anymore. This is what I can do. Please do what you can do.
   
   I speak to clergy on the importance of rephrasing talk of virginity without the use of words like “taken”, “stolen”, or “ruined”. It’s no wonder we don’t tell! “Ruined” is hard to live with and impossible to let anyone know about! Using terminology like, “Saving yourself” and your “Special gift” to “give” to your spouse someday, discourages many of us, who are no longer virgins due to sexual assault, from ever speaking out.  
   
   I also feel it is critical to help teachers,  psychiatrists, and medical professionals  understand the signs of cPTSD and to take care to properly vet children and adults for past, or current, sexual assault BEFORE giving them a diagnosis! cPTSD is often mistaken for other disorders, such as bipolar, borderline personality, ADHD, OCD, Anxiety, Depression, or a combination of these. Medications traditionally prescribed to treat these disorders are already coming under very deserved scrutiny and fire by the medical establishment, and are usually inappropriate for someone with cPTSD! And yes, I’ll stand on any stage and argue that with any PHDd Big Pharma rep on any day!

   It is also imperative that parents, loved ones, partners, and those who work with children in any capacity, read this book. I’ve written sections just for you in Part Two.
   
   There are so many of us, and we’re tired, so - damned - tired, of hearing the same realities (not stories; realities) from our friends and coworkers, while watching the same patterns repeat with our children. We have decided we are NOT going to let it pass on to our grandchildren and beyond. It stops NOW! Suffice it to say, we must PERSONALLY take the targets OFF of our children’s backs. And, back to the top, it starts with the language of society.
    
   I want you to NOT feel sorry for me. Don’t just be moved by my experience. Be encouraged by my strength and resilience. Become self-aware from my conviction. Be energized to action, not just by your empathy and compassion, but by the lightning-bolt realization that every child you know is a walking target, and every woman or man, a potential secret survivor.
    
   It is in that light that I have written this book and developed my workshop. It is in the spirit of healing the whole of society, as well as the heart and soul of each survivor of childhood sexual assault and/or sexual trafficking, that I bare my soul and clear the path for you. I offer you what I’ve felt, suffered, escaped, and learned as a childhood sexual assault survivor, and how I’ve grown, healed, and learned to rise up as an NLP and advocate for fellow survivors. 
   
   So I give you my first of a dozen planned books and sixty-five more original songs (to date) to come! “Call It Assault! A childhood sexual grooming and assault survivor’s story and guide to personal and societal healing”, including its associated CSA cPTSD Workshop in Part Three: “Thrive in S-P-A-D-E-S! Six Steps from Trigger to Happy! A childhood sexual grooming and assault survivor’s daily guide to understanding and managing complex post traumatic stress syndrome”. [*Part Three is also available as an individual workbook.]
   
   Buckle up. The landing is SWEET, but the ride will be bumpy. It is my intention to leave you, not depressed and depleted, but informed, engaged, and ACTIVE! Thank you for reading. It means so very much to me and all fellow survivors. Linda

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