AboutLucille Zimmerman Expertise I can answer questions related to childhood sexual abuse, specifically the ways it negatively
impacts a person emotionally.
Experience For two years I have led a weekly support group for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse.
Organizations American Association of Christian Counseling, American Psychological Association, EMDRIA
Publications Several newspaper articles. I am now working on a book with an agent.
Education/Credentials Master of Arts in Counseling
Awards and Honors Maintained a 3.95 GPA in graduate school
Past/Present Clients I have worked with clients who have Dissociative Identity Disorder (previously called multiple personality disorder) due to post-traumatic stress surrounding childhood sexual abuse. I have spent lots of time with this type of clientele
Question I just found out tonight at youthgroup that my friend was raped for two years by her brother when she was just six. When she was ten rumors went around the church about it. She had told her friend and her friend had spread it around. Nobody would talk to her and her family left the church. Her brother is currently in jail and I don't know the details, but it was for molestation of another girl. She is highly self-concious about her body and doesn't wear swim suits. Her mother always tells her how she isn't a good enough daughter and when my friend had a crush on a guy, her mom said that the guy was too good for her. He asked her out and things seemed to be looking good, but then we found out that he already had a girlfriend. Now, she's extremely upset and told me that she really just wants to feel safe and accepted. She doesn't believe that a guy will ever accept her for who she is when they find out her backstory. As her friend, I really want to help her, but I don't know how.
Answer Hi Claire,
You sound like a really good friend. If I were you, I would encourage you to ask her about counseling. Since you aren't trained shouldn't try to counsel her as much as you should just be her friend.
It sounds like she has had some devastating events and destructive parenting. These can be overcome but it may take longer than you think. She needs someone who really understands the level of the damage done to her.
She should find someone who specializes in rape/sexual abuse and how that plays out as far as symptoms go.
