The Blog
On the Trees of Hope blog, you will find prevention advice, tips, stories of hope, and encouragement for survivors.
How Shame Affects the Survivor
Shame has a profound impact on survivors of sexual abuse. It can affect the mind, body, and soul. Shame is a profoundly isolating emotion that undermines self-worth. Trees of Hope provides actionable steps to break free from shame and foster personal transformation through grace, vulnerability, and community.
What Parents Should Know About Teenagers and Pornography
With explicit content readily accessible, parents must understand its impact on teenagers' brains and relationships while setting boundaries and encouraging honest conversations.
Tactics Groomers Use to Exploit Children
Groomers manipulate and exploit children in various ways. Parents must stay alert and maintain a healthy level of caution with the adults interacting with their children.
How Sexual Abuse Affects Your Relationship with God
Survivors of sexual abuse may feel forsaken, but they are not forgotten. Hope and healing are possible, and God wants to restore the trust that has been lost.
The Neurobiology of Sexual Trauma | Understanding the Brain’s Response and Pathways to Healing
Sexual trauma has a profound impact on the brain’s function and responses. Understanding these responses is an essential step in healing.
Addressing Puberty with Your Pre-Teen
Parents must approach the subject of puberty with their pre-teen in a way that shows empathy and nurtures trust.
Church Authority vs. Biblical Authority: How and When to Report Abuse
Survivors of sexual abuse often face immense challenges in reporting their experiences, especially when the perpetrator holds a position of spiritual authority within the church.
Teaching Your Teens Situational Awareness
Cultivating situational awareness is one of the best ways to empower your teen as they navigate a changing world.
Encouragement for Parents: Your Influence Matters
Be encouraged, parents! Your influence holds the greatest power to shape your child's heart and mind.
A Guide to Setting Boundaries for Sexual Abuse Survivors
Establishing boundaries is an important step in healing for sexual abuse survivors. This practical guide can help you start setting healthy limits.
Protecting Children Online: Safeguarding Against Risks in Apps and Chatrooms
Apps provide children with numerous opportunities for learning, socializing, and entertainment, but they also harbor many potential dangers.
Preventing Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
Addressing and preventing sexual harassment is not just a legal requirement for employers, but also a moral necessity to cultivate a safe, healthy, and productive work setting.
Sexual Abuse and the Church
Churches should be a sanctuary for those healing from trauma, yet survivors of sexual abuse often feel ignored or disbelieved when they bravely share their stories with leaders or counselors.
How Parents Can Prevent Their Child from Being Exploited Online
To protect children from online exploitation, a multi-pronged approach is needed, including educating children and parents, open communication, monitoring online activity, and implementing robust safety measures.
Sexual Abuse Prevention at Every Age
Parents must be proactive about preventing sexual abuse. Age-appropriate conversations about sex are a great place to start.
Sexual Abuse and Human Trafficking
Human trafficking is more pervasive than you may think and is closely tied to sexual abuse.
Recognizing the Symptoms of PTSD in a Child
Children who have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may display a variety of symptoms that can manifest differently depending on the child's age and personality.
Healing a Shattered Identity After Sexual Trauma
Sexual abuse leaves a survivor with a shattered sense of self. Trees of Hope wants to help you rebuild your true identity of unchanging truths.
Myths About Male Sexual Abuse Victims
While sexual assault is often viewed as a crime mainly affecting women, it is equally traumatic for men and more common than many realize. Regardless of gender identity, survivors of sexual violence may experience intense anger, shame, guilt, powerlessness, fear for their safety, and reluctance to speak out.
What is Sexual Abuse? A Quick Guide for Parents
Sexual abuse involves both physical contact and non-physical actions. Parents should educate themselves on the different forms of abuse and how to notice changes in their child's behavior. Although learning about abuse may be uncomfortable, understanding warning signs is a crucial first step in protecting children. All types of abuse can have lasting impacts on a child.