In effect, women have given up their public lives because of the overwhelming nature of these feelings. Relationships with people in a work environment appear very difficult. For most women, their experiences of childhood sexual violence has a significant impact on daily life decisions including the type of housing chosen, transport used, and type of work performed. Childhood sexual violence affects the whole person in thought, behaviour, feelings and daily living. The holistic impact on women requires a holistic response facilitated by a social view of health and well-being which is supported by a feminist counselling framework.
Health is about the whole person - mind, body, soul, sociability.
People who have not been subjected to childhood sexual violence may take these aspects of daily living for granted. To face and learn to deal with the trauma of their pasts and to actively seek to change their futures takes untold courage and strength that cannot go unrecognised. As a society, we have a responsibility to all our children. Their basic human rights are food, shelter and clothing. Their basic emotional rights are love, protection and stability.