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Seeking Validation and Forgiveness When There’s No Remorse
Alice shares her thoughts about paving a way forward to find peace when the person who caused harm shows no remorse. I haven’t seen my brother in 30 years. The last time I saw him, I wrote about in Resolve, in the chapter The Lioness Appears. No one in my family ever talked about that day, not until years later when I would respond to a comment with, “That was because of the abuse, remember. I told you that.” The only topic they seemed willing to discuss was how to “get around Alice not wanting to have Christmas with the family.” Years later, I learned that my brother had told…
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Writing Under a Pen Name: A Journey of Courage, Healing and Compromise
When I first decided to write Resolve, I planned to publish it under my real name. It felt natural, even empowering, to own my story fully. But as the drafts evolved and I moved closer to publication, the reality of writing about sibling sexual abuse (SSA) became clear. For legal reasons—defamation risks, protecting the privacy of my extended family, and my own peace of mind—I chose to write under a pen name. Alice Perle was born out of necessity, but she also became a symbol of courage. Alice represents the strength it takes to walk through the dark tunnels of memory, the resolve to speak the unspeakable, and the compassion…
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A Step Forward in Understanding Sibling Sexual Abuse and Its Impact on Parents
With 2024 about to close, I couldn’t move forward without acknowledging a publication from people I communicate with weekly at 5WAVES in the USA. For many of us in this weekly blog community, sibling sexual abuse (SSA) is a subject that has shaped our lives. However, it remains one of the most pervasive and under-researched forms of abuse, leaving survivors and families navigating their trauma in silence. I recall when releasing Resolve that I felt like I would never read a research paper again! Yet, to the contrary, I’ve developed an even deeper appreciation for the healthy inquiry I began while writing Resolve. My curiosity and determination to understand all…
