The course that’s helping survivors of sexual childhood abuse reclaim their story

Key insights at a glance

• Over half of incarcerated women and a significant portion of incarcerated men report experiencing sexual abuse before age 18 (Wolff & Shi, 2012).
• Saprea’s free course on healing from child sexual abuse is accessible on Edovo, and it’s helping survivors build resilience and reclaim self-worth.
• Whether you’re working inside a facility or calling home from a visit, you can support healing through trauma-informed conversations, encouragement, and compassion.

Imagine carrying an invisible wound

Imagine being 10 years old and betrayed by someone you were supposed to trust. Now imagine carrying that pain, silently, for the next 20, 30, even 40 years. For many incarcerated individuals, that’s not a hypothetical. It’s their reality.

You might never hear the full story. You may not even know it happened. But behind the quiet moments, the outbursts, or the shut-down expressions are often invisible scars left by childhood sexual abuse. Scars that shaped their decisions, their relationships, and their self-worth.

Now picture this: a tablet, tucked into someone’s hands in their cell. On it, a course titled How Can I Heal from Child Sexual Abuse? offers something they may never have had before: a starting point. A language for their pain. A path forward.

This blog is for you—correctional staff, family members, supporters and loved ones—who want to help someone walk that path. Maybe not by leading the way, but by standing beside them while they take the first step.

The hidden story: Trauma in incarcerated lives

Child sexual abuse isn’t rare. It’s heartbreaking, but it’s common. Roughly 1 in 8 children in the general population experience sexual abuse before turning 18 (CDC, 2023). But in correctional settings, those numbers rise dramatically.

According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics and research from the National Center for PTSD, “A history of sexual abuse was reported by 56% of female inmates and 16% of male inmates” (Wolff & Shi, 2012).
Some estimates place the rate for women even higher—up to 68% (Middleton, 2021). And for men, 10 to 25% report experiencing childhood sexual abuse, though many never disclose it due to shame, stigma, and fear.

Even though childhood sexual abuse is heartbreakingly common, most incarcerated survivors have never been given the chance or the tools to start healing. For many, Saprea’s self-guided course, How Can I Heal from Child Sexual Abuse?, is the first time anyone has said: “Your story matters. And healing is possible.”

Saprea’s course, How Can I Heal from Child Sexual Abuse

Healing from childhood sexual abuse doesn’t follow a straight path—and it shouldn’t have to. Everyone’s journey looks different, especially for those navigating that process while incarcerated.

Saprea is the nonprofit known for using proven, practical methods for confronting and overcoming child sexual abuse. With clinically proven tools and resources, they empower survivors, parents, and community members with the knowledge they need to protect, heal, and put a stop to child sexual abuse.

Saprea’s course, How Can I Heal from Child Sexual Abuse?, meets survivors right where they are—with no judgment and no pressure. Designed with incarcerated learners in mind, the course is trauma-informed, self-paced, and easy to access through Edovo tablets.

Across 12 short, engaging lessons, survivors learn what trauma really is, not just emotionally, but neurologically. Through real-world scenarios, survivor stories, and practical exercises, the course explains how trauma rewires the brain and how the brain can also be rewired for healing.

Each lesson provides concrete tools like:

• Breathing techniques to calm the nervous system and reduce anxiety
• Grounding practices to stay present and manage triggers
• Expressive writing to release trapped thoughts and emotions
• Shame-reduction strategies to replace self-blame with compassion

At the heart of the course are three core healing practices:

1. The language to understand their trauma
2. The ability to stay grounded during hard moments
3. And the belief that healing, growth, and change are possible—even behind the walls

Backed by neuroscience and the expertise of licensed therapists, this course doesn’t just inform. It empowers. For many incarcerated individuals, it’s not just a class. It’s the first step toward a life reclaimed.

For correctional staff: The role you play matters

You don’t have to be a therapist to help someone heal. Whether you’re an officer, case manager, teacher, friend, loved one, or volunteer, your influence is real. A simple nod of encouragement or a nonjudgmental conversation can spark hope where there’s been silence.

Here’s how you can help:

1. Normalize healing programs. Mention How Can I Heal from Child Sexual Abuse? the same way you would a GED program or job training. Say: “This one’s about trauma healing. A lot of folks have found it helpful.”
2. Use trauma-informed language.  Instead of “What’s wrong with you?” try: “What happened to you?”
   This small shift asked in a compassionate tone moves the question from blame to understanding (SAMHSA, 2014).
3. Respect privacy. Healing from sexual trauma is deeply personal. Create safety by listening more than talking. Don’t push for disclosures.
4. Create space. Support journaling, meditation, or quiet time as valid, important parts of growth. Even five minutes of stillness can communicate: You matter. Your healing matters.

For family and friends: Conversations that heal

If your loved one has ever hinted at abuse—or even if they haven’t—talking about healing can feel awkward or scary. But your words can be a lifeline. Here are some ways to start:

• “I saw there’s a course on the tablet about healing from trauma. If that’s something you’ve experienced, just know I’m here. No pressure.”
• “You’ve been through so much. I’m proud of you for even thinking about healing.”
• “You’re not broken. I believe in your ability to grow and heal.”

A few tips to keep in mind:

• Don’t press for details
• Offer reassurance and praise small steps
• Let them guide the pace of the conversation
  

Sample tools from the course you can try together

Paced Breathing
“Let’s try something together—breathe in for 4, hold for 2, out for 6. We’ll do it three times.”

Five Senses Grounding
“What’s something around you that’s your favorite color?”
“What’s one sound you hear right now?”
“What are three textures you feel?”

Writing Prompt
“What’s something you’ve survived that you’re proud of?”
“What does self-compassion mean to you today?”

Behind every incarcerated person is a life story we rarely get to hear, often shaped by early trauma that went unaddressed for decades.When we provide access to trauma-informed healing like Saprea’s course, we’re not just improving behavior (though we are). We’re doing something more profound:

We’re telling people they’re worthy of healing. And that can change everything.

References

Middleton, J. (2021). Child sexual abuse and the criminal justice system: Impacts and intersections. National Sexual Violence Resource Center. https://www.nsvrc.org/blogs/child-sexual-abuse-and-criminal-justice-system-impacts-and-intersections

Swedo, E. A., Aslam, M. V., Dahlberg, L. L., Niolon, P. H., Guinn, A. S., Simon, T. R., & Mercy, J. A. (2023). Prevalence of Adverse Childhood Experiences Among US Adults—Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2011–2020. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 72(26), 707.

Wolff, N., & Shi, J. (2012). Childhood and adult sexual victimization and midlife women’s health. Violence and Victims, 27(5), 692–706. https://doi.org/10.1891/0886-6708.27.5.692

‍