ABSTRACT

This chapter explains the narratives of three women who felt proud of the fact that they worked to protect others and to help survivors of child sexual abuse. It describes the ways in which they believed that their incestuous childhood sexual experiences had affected them. The chapter examines their coping mechanisms including dissociation. It outlines how they developed a strong sense of themselves as protectors and helpers of others. The chapter explores the ways in which three women faced their childhood adversity and were transformed in the process. They all chose to protect other people within their family. These women all went on to work in the helping professions. Even though they would have preferred not to have had the experiences that they did, they felt transformed by them to a certain extent. The chapter describes how three women faced their childhood adversity.