A poem written by an adult woman survivor of childhood rape, showing the huge effects of depression and shame:

I HURT SO MUCH

I hurt so much, I long for you to love me.

I hurt so much, I long for you to care.

I am afraid that deep-down I am not worth it,

And you will see this

And reject me.

I am crying out to show you my pain,

But I feel I am not worth you feeling it.

I long for you to feel my pain,

But I am so afraid to show it.

I feel so unlovable.

I hurt so much, I long to be comforted.

I hurt so much, I long to be held.

I want to be loved with human hands

and human words

and human love.

My spirit feels crushed and broken.

The pain of abuse and rejection.

I feel as though my bare soul and my personhood

has been stomped over.

Tell me that I am worth more than this.-

Will I ever be free to fly and sing?