As an abuse survivor, whenever I write about things I have gone through, I face a lot of judgment and criticism from those who have never experienced abuse in their own lives. In the past, I used to get upset when people would say negative things about it, but now I find myself feeling sorry for them. It just shows me that there is so much work to be done in getting the truth out there about how damaging abuse is and it shows that society is in denial, ignorant, and blind to the truth about abuse. That is why we survivors need to step up and shed some light, revealing the truth and helping spread awareness as we educate those who have not gone through it in their own lives. We should not have to hide who we are from the world. It's not like we have some disease or we're freaks because we're not. We are human beings just like everyone else. It just makes me sad to see how many people really don't know how much abuse affects its victims and the lifelong scars and memories it leaves behind. People think that since it was a small portion of our lives, we should be over it by now. But it was not a small portion of our lives. It was a portion that changed us forever. We can be the leaders of this generation of survivors and the more we continue to stand strong and speak out which takes a lot of courage and determination, we can also help prepare the leaders for the next generation of survivors to come. These are the days that we must be willing to take a stand and not back down for anything or anyone. I know that I am going to meet opposition when speaking out and I know the more I speak out, the more that I leave myself open to attacks from those who do not understand. But hey, what doesn't kill me only makes me stronger and I won't deny the truth all because there are those who don't agree with me. I have a mission and a calling in life and since I believe in what I am doing, I will continue to follow my heart and see where it takes me.



These Are The Days by Jenna Kandyce Linch


Often in society, we as survivors are misunderstood
People make assumptions on what we've experienced in childhood and adulthood.
Even when we've broken our chains, we still live in silence
Not knowing the real truth, society remains dense.

Untrue myths about abuse and its survivors circulate
False illusions in people's minds they create.
As a result, we're viewed as strange and different
They'd think something else if back to that time and place they were sent.

That we should be over it by now is what we're told
Because on ignorance they are sold.
They figure it was a small portion of our lives so we should have moved on
Little do they know that memories last forever and are never really gone.

Those events did not make up a small part
They left their own effects on our heart.
Down the paths we've been on, others have not tread
Yet they want to tear us down, trying to tell us there's nothing up ahead.

When it comes to the truth about abuse, they live in denial
Those of us who speak out are constantly put on trial.
Every part of our lives they dissect
In a crime committed against us, we become the suspect.

We know it was not our fault and we did nothing wrong
From the wounds we're healing as we try to find where we belong.
With people criticizing us, it is easy to just run
But these challenges we must face for there is much work to be done.

From the world we shouldn't have to hide
If it's one thing they can't take from us it's our pride.
We're the only ones who know what really happened
After all we suffered and endured, our lives didn't end.

For too long our true selves we've concealed
But now it's time for the truth to be revealed.
Emerging from the shadows, we need to break the silence for good
People should know that abuse hurts in childhood and adulthood.

On the dangers of abuse we can help educate
Then maybe we can prevent the hate.
It takes courage to stand strong and true
Isn't it worth it though if we make a difference in the lives of a few.

We shouldn't back down in fear
The chance to make a change is here.
Into this darkness let's shed light
Letting our voices be heard, the truth we'll recite.

Our stories deserve to be told
On our lives other people's opinions should have no hold.
This generation we need to step up and lead
Making our mission about love, not greed.

If we unite together, we are able to be the change the world needs to see
For helping prepare leaders for the next generation of survivors we have the key.
Not only are we survivors, but we're warriors on this battlefield
Standing our ground, these are the days to which silence we won't yield.



'These Are The Days' Copyright © Jenna Kandyce Linch