By Linda C J Turner | Trauma Therapist & Advocate
One of the most painful experiences for a survivor is not just the abuse itself—but the moment they bravely reach out for help and are met with silence, disbelief, or denial from the abusers family.
From a psychological point of view, this response is deeply harmful—and it’s exactly what the abuser counts on.
Abusers are expert manipulators.
They often plant the seed early on:
“No one will believe you.”
“You’re too sensitive.”
“You’ll just embarrass yourself.”
When family members dismiss or downplay a survivor’s cries for help, they don’t just fail to support them—they unknowingly validate the abuser’s narrative.
🌪️ The emotional result? Devastation, confusion, and reinforced helplessness.
🧠 The neurological result? A brain that’s already dysregulated by trauma now enters deeper survival mode.
The amygdala, the brain’s alarm system, becomes hyperactive. The prefrontal cortex, responsible for rational thought and decision-making, struggles to function under chronic emotional threat. The result is a loop of fear, self-doubt, and emotional paralysis.
When survivors are denied validation, their nervous systems remain in a heightened state of stress. Their inner voice—already weakened by abuse—begins to echo the abuser’s words. This keeps them locked in a state of fight, flight, freeze, or fawn… often turning inward with shame rather than outward for support.
Let’s be very clear:
When someone tells you they’ve experienced abuse, your belief is more powerful than you know. It can be the first breath of air after years of suffocating silence. It can be the moment that starts a survivor’s healing.
💬 If you’re a family member reading this: your response can either reinforce the trauma or begin to undo it. Choose compassion. Choose curiosity. Choose belief.
💔 If you’re a survivor who was met with denial: your story still matters. Your pain is valid. Just because they didn’t listen doesn’t mean you weren’t speaking your truth. You are not alone. You are not invisible.
Abuse thrives in silence.
Healing begins with being heard.
#BelieveSurvivors #TraumaRecovery #NeuroscienceOfAbuse #FamilyDenial #PsychologicalAbuse #LindaCJTurnerTherapy #EmotionalIntelligence #YouAreNotAlone
