Every year, NO MORE Week serves as a powerful reminder that we are not alone in the fight against domestic violence and sexual assault. But for those of us who have lived through these horrors, NO MORE Week is more than a campaign, it’s a call to reclaim our voices, our strength, and our futures. NO MORE Week 2025 will take place March 2nd-8th.
I am a survivor.
For many, survival is a single moment, an event that marks the beginning of healing. But for others, like me, survival is a long and painful road, one marked by repeated incidents of physical and sexual violence spanning many years. The trauma I endured didn’t end when the abuse stopped, it carved itself into my very being. It rewired my brain, shattered my sense of self, and left behind deep wounds that words alone could never fully capture. It led to a diagnosis that, for a long time, I didn’t even have the words to describe: Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD).
What is C-PTSD?
C-PTSD is a psychological condition that develops after prolonged and repeated trauma, especially trauma inflicted by people we trust. Unlike PTSD, which is often linked to a single traumatic event, C-PTSD results from long-term abuse, captivity, or entrapment, leaving survivors in a state of constant fear and hyper-vigilance.
It is more than just flashbacks or nightmares. It is:
- Emotional Dysregulation: Intense and unpredictable emotions, from overwhelming sadness to explosive anger.
- Chronic Fear and Hypervigilance: Always feeling on edge, scanning every room for danger.
- Dissociation and Memory Issues: Feeling disconnected from reality, struggling to remember parts of life.
- Distorted Self-Perception: Believing you are broken, unworthy, or beyond saving.
- Difficulty Trusting Others: Struggling with relationships, fearing betrayal or harm even in safe environments.
C-PTSD doesn’t just hurt, it warps the way we see the world and ourselves. It steals our sense of safety, turning everyday moments into battlegrounds of anxiety and self-doubt.
A Journey of Healing and Hope
Surviving abuse, especially from multiple people, leaves scars that run deep, shaping the way we see ourselves and the world around us. For so long, you were made to believe that mistreatment was your worth, that this was all you deserved, and it’s heartbreaking how easily those lies can take root when love and safety have been absent for so long.
Not knowing what a healthy relationship looks like is such a heavy burden because it leaves you questioning everything, even the good things that might come your way. And then there’s that little girl inside you who has never felt truly safe. She’s a part of you, and her pain is real and valid. The way she lingers in your mind, sometimes overwhelming and other times distant, is a testament to how deeply those experiences have shaped you. But what’s remarkable is your strength and determination to heal her—not to erase her or deny her existence, but to nurture her and give her the safety and love she’s always deserved. That takes courage.
You Are Not Alone
If you are reading this and you feel trapped in the endless cycle of fear and pain, please know this: You are not alone.
You are proof that even in the face of unimaginable pain, there is hope for healing and a profound capacity for love, not just for others but for yourself too. Keep going; you are worthy of every bit of effort and kindness this world offers.
I know how isolating it feels to live with trauma. I know the way shame creeps in, convincing us that we are somehow responsible for what happened. I know the nights spent awake, reliving the worst moments, wondering if healing is even possible. But I also know this: There is hope.
There are people who care. There are resources available. And no matter how lost you feel, you can find your way back.
Where to Get Help
If you or someone you love is struggling, there are places to turn:
- NO MORE – Provides resources, advocacy, and community support.
- RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) – Offers a 24/7 confidential support hotline and chat services.
- National Domestic Violence Hotline – 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) – Provides crisis intervention, safety planning, and local resources.
- Therapy and Support Groups – Whether through BetterHelp, local crisis centers, or trauma-informed therapists, healing starts with support.
Reclaiming Our Power
This NO MORE Week, I want to say NO MORE to silence. NO MORE to shame. NO MORE to feeling like we have to carry this burden alone.
Survival is not just about staying alive, it’s about learning to live again. It’s about knowing that our stories matter, that our pain is real, and that healing is not just a possibility but a right.
To every survivor reading this: You are worthy of love, safety, and peace. The trauma you endured does not define you. You are stronger than you know.
And together, we say NO MORE.
#NoMoreWeek #SurvivorStrong #EndTheSilence
