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In this episode, I return to my childhood timeline during a period when grooming intensified and survival became something my body learned before my mind could name it.

I share how gradual boundary shifts, confusion, and manipulation trained compliance and silence — and how dissociation allowed me to live two lives at once: one that looked normal, and one that existed in fear.

CONTENT WARNING: This episode includes more detailed discussion of childhood sexual abuse, grooming, and trauma responses, including the emotional and physical impact of those experiences. While explicit graphic details are avoided, listener discretion is advised.

This is not a story told for shock.

It’s told to explain how grooming works, how survival strategies form, and why so many survivors struggle to identify harm until much later.

CREDITS: Created, hosted, and produced by Sheryl.

Website: dissociatedpod.com

RESOURCES

Immediate Support

• National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN): 1-800-656-4673 Website: https://www.rainn.org
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 Website: https://www.crisistextline.org
• Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988 Website: https://988lifeline.org

Therapy & Trauma Support

• Psychology Today Therapist Finder: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapist
• Therapy Den — Inclusive Therapist Directory: https://www.therapyden.com
• EMDR International Association: https://www.emdria.org
• Trauma-Focused CBT: https://tfcbt.org

Organizations & Survivor Communities

• RAINN: https://www.rainn.org
• 1in6 (for male-identifying survivors): https://1in6.org
• Pandora’s Project: https://pandys.org
• End Violence Against Women International (EVAWI): https://evawintl.org