FIGHT flight freeze. Unsafe. Silenced. Shame.
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These are the words that hung from the fence outside Wagga Women’s Health Centre on Monday; the messages of strangers all knotted together by one common experience.
They were left by city survivors of child abuse, a shame-inducing, fearful secret.
But on Blue Knot Day, the twisted feelings of anxiety in their stomachs were finally gone, replaced by the knots that hung on Peter Street for the world to see.
Everyday at least one woman accessed the Wagga Women’s Health Centre looking for support from child abuse, trauma counsellor Leah Anderson said.
Nationally, latest figures suggest one in four of Australia’s population had survived abuse in their childhood.
98 per cent of trauma was perpetrated by someone known to the person, she said.
A mural gave former victims the chance to speak publicly, often for the first time.
“It lists the impacts they have endured, as well as their messages of hope and support,” Ms Anderson said.
“It feels like they have a voice, because that is the one thing that they all identify is taken away from them.
“This is their way to have their voice in a safe supportive way.”
Taking the step towards recovery from abuse was as easy as accessing the Wagga Women’s Health Centre and other services, Ms Anderson said.
“They don’t have to have an appointment, they don’t need a referral, the support is there it is just walking through the door and having a cup of tea,” she said.
The blue knot artwork will take up permanent residence inside the centre from Tuesday, where one message at the mural’s heart will be most prominent – love yourself.
Need help? Blue Knot Helpline 1300 657 380
Lifeline 13 11 14