This powerful new solution helps childhood sexual abuse survivors learn to heal – not just cope

A lot of the advice given to survivors of childhood sexual abuse focuses on treating symptoms. But this retreat tackles trauma at the root, so that the estimated 1 in 5 Americans who have suffered abuse can find lasting healing and break generational cycles of trauma. For more stories, ideas, and advice from changemakers tackling our biggest challenges, subscribe to Stand Together ►    / standtogethercc   - Childhood sexual abuse is a profound yet under-acknowledged issue in the United States, affecting an estimated one in every five children before their 18th birthday. This distressing statistic reflects a reality where 20% of Americans* could be dealing with lasting trauma from such abuse, fundamentally altering their lives, and in turn, the lives of those around them. Survivors often grapple with deep shame and diminished self-worth that manifest in their lives in devastating ways, such as addiction, broken relationships, isolation, and violence. Unfortunately, the common answer for those struggling is to address these visible symptoms, rather than the root causes of their trauma. Saprea, a nonprofit organization based in Utah, offers a unique approach to healing for survivors. Saprea's intervention, the Saprea Retreat, is a week-long program tailored specifically for adult women who were sexually abused as children. This retreat creates a healing environment in which peers with shared lived experience come together as a community to face and heal from their pasts: because abuse happens in isolation, but healing happens in community. The retreats are designed not only to confront the trauma directly but also to build a community that envelopes survivors in support. By focusing on creating new, healthier neural pathways through various therapeutic techniques, Saprea empowers participants to reshape their responses to trauma triggers. This deeply effective approach underscores the necessity of addressing trauma within a supportive community, highlighting that healing, much like trauma, happens in the context of relationships. Saprea's model not only aids survivors in immediate recovery but also in building skills and connections that support long-term wellbeing — in turn breaking the cycles of abuse that are so inherent in communities across the country. *Source: CDC https://www.cdc.gov/child-abuse-negle... - Watch more videos about the people working to heal American communities ►    • Strong & Safe Communities   And visit Stand Together’s website to learn more ► https://standtogether.org/