If you were abused, neglect or experienced repeated violence or trauma as a child, young person, or adult, there is information and support to help you.
Blue Knot Helpline and Redress Support Service on 1300 657 380 between 9am -5pm 7days a week AEST/AEDT
As children, many survivors, were harmed in relationships with adults. Some were harmed in relationships with other children. Other people have experienced violence in relationships as an adult. These experiences can make it hard to trust people, and to reach out and find help. This means that many survivors feel isolated and alone. They can feel that they have only a few people they can trust, if any, to talk to or ask for help.
Survivors often also struggle to feel and be safe. Feeling safe is important wherever you are. Because complex trauma happens within relationships, healing also happens within relationships. Learning to trust others, to feel safe and to turn to them for support is a crucial step in recovery. Doing so challenges the belief survivors often adopt that people are dangerous.
Trust your feelings. Choose people who are available for you, connected to you and who can engage with you and your experience. This can include a counsellor or therapist who is experienced in working with people who have experienced repeated violence, abuse or neglect.
It can be helpful to keep a list of your support people and phone numbers. You might like to make a plan for what you can do when you find it hard to remember what can help. This might include numbers for the Blue Knot Helpline and Redress Support Service, Lifeline for 24/7 crisis support, friends who understand, your counsellor, or other services you have connected with.
It might also remind you to do some activities that nurture you like remembering to breathe, having a cup of tea, going outside and being in nature, connecting with your pets, having a shower, listening to music, drawing, colouring in etc. Keep the list on the fridge, on your phone, or anywhere you can easily find it.
Research shows that with the right support people can and do heal. Many survivors go on to tell stories of recovery. And of resilience beyond survival. We hope you find the information and support here useful. Please read through the different sections when you can, to find out what you need for support.
Our counsellors provide empathetic, informative and empowering support for adult survivors of childhood trauma and abuse.
Blue Knot Foundation respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which we work and pay respect to the First Nations Peoples and their Elders, past, present and future. We acknowledge their strength and resilience to thrive as Sovereign Owners and are honoured to journey with them on the path to healing and reconciliation. Please be aware that this website may contain the names, images and voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who may now be deceased.
Blue Knot Foundation ABN 49072260005 © 2021. All rights reserved.
