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Childhood trauma doesn’t mean darkness forever.

With the right support and guidance, there is hope at the end of the tunnel, even for those who have endured the most traumatic of childhoods.

If you are interested in how we can heal after a traumatic childhood, tune into my guest this week, Hope Daniels. A Sunday Times bestselling author, Hope’s latest book This Isn’t Love reveals her harrowing journey from a chaotic childhood filled with neglect, sexual abuse, and addiction, to becoming a powerful advocate for young people in the care system.

Hope Daniels grew up in a dysfunctional home, living with alcoholic parents and witnessing the exploitation of her mother as a street sex worker. This chaos culminated in her entering the care system at a young age, thinking she was escaping to safety. But, as she details, the care system brought its own challenges. Hope, like many young girls in care, was vulnerable to predatory adults, which led to further abuse. Her understanding of love and consent was warped by these experiences, compounded by a lack of education on these critical subjects. Not once, she recalls, was there a conversation about consent during her years in the care system.

Hope’s candid discussions about the lifelong impact of sexual abuse, both emotionally and psychologically, underscore the need for society to have open dialogues with young people, especially those in care, about their bodies, their rights, and the importance of consent. In her memoir This Isn’t Love, she writes not only about the abuses she suffered but also about her eventual path to healing, illustrating that no matter how deep the trauma, there is always hope for recovery.

In adulthood, Hope turned to addiction to cope with the unresolved pain of her past, a common story for those who have experienced childhood trauma. Her journey through addiction took a turn when she sought therapy. Through this, she began to process her experiences, challenge the narrative she had been fed about herself, and, most importantly, understand what true love and consent really are. Her story is one of transformation—from a vulnerable girl trapped in a cycle of abuse to a strong woman standing up for the rights of children in care.

Hope now dedicates much of her time to advocating for a safer, more supportive care system. She highlights the dangers that vulnerable children face and the urgent reforms needed to protect them from sexual exploitation and neglect. Hope’s life is a powerful testament to resilience and the possibility of healing, even after the most traumatic of childhoods.

She speaks to young people, social workers, and foster families about the importance of educating children on their rights, bodily autonomy, and consent. Hope shines a light on the dark corners of the care system, calling for changes that will make it safer for future generations. But more than anything, her message is one of hope: with the right support, it is possible to heal, find peace, and live a life of meaning and advocacy.

For those who have suffered in similar ways, Hope’s story is an important reminder that, no matter how broken you may feel, healing is possible. Her journey demonstrates that you are not defined by your past, and that with the right tools and the courage to seek help, you can overcome even the darkest of experiences.

10 Wellbeing Actionable Strategies Based on Hope’s Healing Journey

1. Therapy and Counselling: Seek professional help to work through trauma. Therapy is vital for addressing deep-seated emotional wounds and understanding the impact of past experiences.

2. Acceptance of Mental Health Support: Embrace the need for medication or treatment if necessary. As Hope highlights, accepting mental health help is key to recovery.

3. Build Safe Relationships: Surround yourself with supportive, trustworthy people. Healing is easier when you have a solid, caring support network.

4. Create Boundaries: Set healthy emotional and physical boundaries with others to protect your wellbeing.

5. Practice Self-Care: Engage in activities that make you feel good, such as taking relaxing baths or enjoying simple pleasures like watching TV or spending time with loved ones.

6. Limit Exposure to Toxic Situations: Recognize when events or environments trigger anxiety, and give yourself permission to avoid them.

7. Self-Compassion: Treat yourself with kindness, as you would a dear friend. Speak gently to yourself during difficult times.

8. Trust Your Gut: Learn to listen to your instincts, especially when something feels off in a relationship or situation.

9. Embrace Routine: Establish a stable daily routine that makes you feel secure. Structure and predictability can be incredibly comforting.

10. Celebrate Small Wins: Take pride in even the smallest victories. As Hope did, sometimes rebellion against injustice (even in small ways) can fuel resilience.

Hope Daniels, author of This Isn’t Love, shares her story of childhood trauma, abuse, and eventual healing through therapy and advocacy. Her journey from victim to advocate shines a light on the need for consent education and a safer care system.

PS. Listen HERE to HOPE’s journey on BRAVE NEW GIRLS podcast to hear how she helps us help the planet.