Here’s me, doing my bit to participate weekly in Kelly’s Seven Quick Takes over at This Ain’t the Lyceum.

So here’s…

This Week’s Resources for Catholic Trauma Survivors

Takes. Best described as quick. Seven of them.

1. Donna’s Law , just passed in Florida, has removed the statute of limitations entirely for sexual battery of a minor. I’ve long been disgusted when states remove the SOL for cases of institutional abuse (read: abuse by Catholic priests) but keep it in place for abuse by, say, family members. That said, just because you can press charges now, Florida friends, doesn’t mean you are morally obligated to do so. Your abuser is morally obligated to turn him/herself in. It’s not your job to police. You are free to do so, but it’s not your job. Anyone who says, “Well, isn’t it your fault if your abuser abuses someone else, when you didn’t speak up?” It’s not your fault if anyone besides yourself sins. Even your abuser.
2. “Seal of Confessional Vital for Some Survivors of Sexual Abuse.” This one’s from Australia. Food for thought for those who think the Seal of Confession is a harbor for abusers. Maybe it’s an empowerment tool for survivors, a truth-lighting tool for victims taught to think the abuse is their sin.
3. Have you listed to Dr. Ramani yet? If you’re from a narcissistic family dynamic, do. Here’s her take on The Narcissist and the Golden Child.
4. Hold up. Maybe you don’t know what the narcissistic family dynamic looks like. Dr. Ramani breaks it down here.
5. Trauma survivors get a lot of “oh, it wasn’t that bad,” “look on the bright side,” “but it’s your family, they must love you,” and so on. There’s a word for that minimization: it’s called toxic positivity, and fellow Catholic Mom contributor Lisa Hess blogged about it this week–especially in light of how you’re “supposed” to be living your lockdown.
6. This Sunday’s gospel journaling page for trauma survivors will come out in a few hours, so please sign up here to get yours free through the end of November, 20202.
7. I also invite you to join in some discussion over on my Broken Grown-up Nation Facebook page.

What are some things you wish the Catholic world would address for the sake of childhood trauma survivors? I’m curious.

Also, let me know how I may pray for you? Meanwhile, make sure you give Kelly & the SQT crew a look see.