I sit down with a very special guest, Shirley Barnes, who shares her story of mental and physical abuse and molestation. Shirley explains that through her experience with abuse, she\u2019s realized the importance of speaking up and speaking out against abuse when it happens.
Unfortunately, Shirley, like so many others, experienced sexual abuse and molestation at a young age that continued into her teenage years. Shirley touches on these instances of molestation that she endured throughout her childhood. Shirley explains her abusive home situation throughout her youth and how it contributed to her molestation and the perception she had of the sexual abuse she faced. She admits the guilt she feels for not speaking up to ensure that sexual abuse wasn\u2019t imposed on others.
She delves into her past and the mental abuse inflicted upon her from her mother which led to abandonment issues that continue to affect her now. Shirley explains how certain coping mechanisms have manifested within her as a direct result of the sexual abuse and abandonment issues from the mental abuse she faced as a child.
Shirley\u2019s story progresses and she shares the mental and physical abuse she suffered in her relationship with her children's father, how she felt trapped and manipulated by her husband, and the fear she felt about getting out of her abusive relationship. She describes the scars that she bears today because of the abuse she faced for the majority of her life.
Shirley and I discuss how difficult it can be for victims to Speak LOUD about their abuse. We share our own experiences and the fears we had about asking for help. It\u2019s important to know that abuse is NOT YOUR FAULT and no matter what happens, the best thing to do is find the courage and mindset to seek help as quickly as possible.
Through Shirley and I\u2019s conversation, the powerful message emerges of speaking up and acting quickly in the face of abuse. It can be scary to speak out but FIND SOMEONE WHO WILL LISTEN. It might seem like an overreaction to act but HELP A VICTIM. No matter the situation, abuse is abuse and it needs to be brought to light. Shirley\u2019s strength and outlook on life after abuse is incredibly inspiring. She encourages listeners not to let their pasts define them and to learn how to say \u201cNO\u201d.\xa0
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