It is essential for survivors to remember the circumstances under which they were forced to participate in abusive or criminal acts.
Self forgiveness is the most difficult step.
Understanding and compassion for self does not come easily. It is often helpful to imagine what an outside victim in the same circumstances might have done. Remember to be realistic about the age you were when the acts occurred. Many survivors find that the process of grieving is greatly helped by planning some kind of memorial rememberance of those who were lostor injured, whether animal or human. The more personal and self-initiated this memorial process is, the more effective it is.