

Why consider a recovery program?
Parents, with all their love and good intentions, may not fully understand the impact that a sexual trauma can have on a young girl. If you know your girl was hurt, an instinct to keep her closer will likely kick in, but it is critical your child receives help and support with professionals. She may seem to not remember the events or she may tell you she is fine and as parents, we like to think the wound will heal more quickly if it’s never spoken of and left alone.
However, the sexual trauma experienced by your daughter can lead to a myriad of concerning or even life-threatening behaviors down the road, if not immediately. It can be additionally harmful to not address the issue if your daughter will have continual contact throughout life with the person who harmed her (family members, friends, or acquaintances make up about 80-90% of those who perpetrate).
Wounds from sexual trauma run very deep. Many survivors spend a lifetime trying to work out for themselves all the issues that stemmed from those events. At Safe Haven we want to help our young girls understand what has happened to them at an early age and give them tools for life that will allow them to grow up with hope and health in hand.

Reported struggles in the lives of LDS women...
From the survey we conducted with nearly 900 LDS women in the Spring of 2016, here are the varied negative struggles expereinced by those who were sexually abused or traumatized in childhood.
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75% struggle with depression.
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69% struggle with anxiety.
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37% struggle with panic attacks.
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34% struggle with PTSD symptoms.
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40% struggle with insomnia.
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29% struggle with nightmares.
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16% struggle with OCD.
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45% struggle with suicidal thoughts or made attempts.
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68% struggle with worthlessness.
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77% struggle with negative self-image.
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37% struggle with eating disorders.
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11% struggle with cutting.
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15% struggle with drugs/alcohol for escape.
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19% struggle with chronic health problems.
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27% struggle with isolating.
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51% struggle with sex/intimacy with partner.
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14% struggle with high-risk sexual activities.
59% of LDS women say these symptoms are directly connected to the abuse/trauma and 31% of them say they are “not sure”, with 6% saying there is no correlation. (Only 4% did not experience any of these symptoms.)
WHY CHOOSE RECOVERY?
Concerning Behavoirs That Might Exhibit After A Sexual Truama
(not a comprehensive list)
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Regressive Behavoirs (like bedwetting/thumbsucking)
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Withdrawing/Isolating
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Intense Shame/Fear
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Low Self-Esteem
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Anger/Lashing Out/Control Issues
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Becoming Sexually Active/Risky Sexual Behavoirs
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Damaged Sexual Identity
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Rejection of Healthy Affection/Touch
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Eating Disorders
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OCD
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ADHD or ODD
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PTSD Symptoms
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Development of Phobias
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Depression/Anxiety/Panic Attacks
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Cutting/Self-Abuse
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Nightmares/Night Terrors/Insomnia
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More Likely Targets for Future Abuse
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Poor Health/Increased Poor Health As They Age
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Petty Criminal Behavoirs
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Suicidal Tendencies