You don’t remember everything that happens to you. Not every moment of your daily life is preserved in your conscious memory, nor is every holiday or birthday recalled in detail. Memory repression is a useful tool that unburdens the mind, leaving you free to focus your conscious energy on the here and now.*
Although all forms of abuse can result in repressed memories, sexual abuse is particularly susceptible to memory repression. Memory repression thrives in shame, secrecy, and shock. The shame and degradation experienced during a sexual assault is profound, especially for children who have no concept of what is happening to them or why. Sexual abuse is so bizarre and horrible that the frightened child feels compelled to bury the event deep inside his or her mind. Sexual abuse is also a secret crime, one that usually has no witnesses.*
Repressed memories are pieces of your past that have become a mystery. They stalk your subconscious and hamper your life with their aftermath. They will tell you a story if you know how to listen to them.*
When you were abused you were too young you were too young and too fragile to retain the memory, or you may have undergone torment too appalling to handle it any other way. Your wonderful, powerful mind hid some or all of the abuse from you until you were strong enough to face it.*
Impact of Repressed Memories- Lifelong damage. The aftereffects are varied and pervasive. A deep sense of sexual shame, depression, anxiety, worthlessness, guilt and difficulties with careers and relationships are some of the well-documented consequences of childhood sexual abuse.*
* Repressed Memories: A Journey to Recovery from Sexual Abuse by Renee Fredrickson, PhD
