Articles written by Ophelia de Serres

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About me - Ophelia de Serres

Ophelia de Serres

Co-Founder of (Wo)Men Speak Out, Assaulted Women's & Children's Advocate and the Director of Ophelia's Love. Ophelia shares her personal experience as a Survivor-Advocate on-line, through her music and in person at various anti-violence events

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Creative Writing > Reflections Reflections: The road to sobriety: 2 of 20

"....You look like a perfect fit, for a girl in need of a tourniquet...." - Aimee Mann There is a moment in every addict's life, the one just before the hit. I know mine. It usually involves a mirror. Have you ever noticed that in almost every bar there are mirrors behind the liquor bottles? When you stand in front of them y...
Creative Writing > Reflections Reflections: Experience of child abuse: 7 of 63

I can offer you only glimpses into my abuse because glimpses are all I have to piece together the memories of my sexual trauma. My first memory of abuse was around the age of 3 years old. My father was in the bath and my mother carried me in the bathroom to meet him. The pieces that I remember are simply flashes, incomplete ...
Health & Fitness > Mental Illness Understanding self injury: 1 of 6

Self-injury is probably the most widely misunderstood form of self-harm amongst survivors of abuse. The many myths that are often associated with self-injury make coming forward and seeking help difficult for those dealing with their addiction. I know because I am a recovering addict myself. Just recently, I put together a p...
Politics, News & Issues > Family Law Child abuse: Communities need to take action: 5 of 12

Permission to tell I can't even begin to count the number of people over the years that have asked me "Why?" Why as a child I wouldn't have told someone what was happening to me. Why I didn't talk to my mother about what my father was doing, a teacher, a friend or neighbor and why still today, children aren't able to just co...
Religion & Spirituality > Spiritual Insights The meaning of names: 5 of 10

What's In a Name? I remember coming home one day from elementary school and asking my Mother where my name came from. She said that my father picked it. She wanted to name me Dawn Elizabeth but that was "too English" for my Scottish father. I would be called Dawn Shona and with little argument, that became my name. I have ne...
Parenting & Pregnancy > Parenting Tips Teaching your children the correct names for their body parts: 2 of 4

When it comes to talking to children about abuse, it's safe to say that most parents have a hard time starting the conversation. I've received emails from people who aren't sure how to introduce the topic of private parts in general, let alone the topic of abuse and what that looks like. Admittedly, talking to your child abo...
Relationships & Family > Domestic Violence & Abuse Why do women tolerate abuse from their men?: 28 of 46

Often, we hear of men who molest young girls and women and receive too little jail time or often, no penalty at all for their crimes. Tonight, on television was a story of a mother who was the co-abuser to her daughter of 7 years old. The reason for her decision, she wanted to "prove her love" to her husband. The ultimate sa...
Creative Writing > Reflections Reflections: Rape: 31 of 36

"Rape isn't really an issue for us. Thanks for calling." Click. Excuse me? Did I just hear you right? You, an editor for one of the most left wing newspapers in the city just said that "rape isn't really an issue" in your city? Pardon me while I vomit a little in my mouth. The reality is that every two and a half minutes, so...
Relationships & Family > Domestic Violence & Abuse Childhood abuse and abuse in adult relationships: 8 of 8

You called me this morning asking for guidance. You shared with me your most recent experience in a women's shelter, how you and your children had no choice but to leave. You didn't feel safe any more. You looked to the system to help you get out. They failed you. Two weeks later you went back. "He's better now," you said. Y...