What’s the story you tell yourself about power?

'I’m not powerful'

'I could never be powerful'

That's what I told myself for decades.

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a crime of power. Power over another.

That’s why it can leave us feeling powerless.

Society tells us we’re powerless, we may feel shame, we may feel broken, that no-one cared, or like it should all just be swept under the carpet. And too little support is available – reinforcing our belief that we’re unworthy, broken, to blame, that nothing can be done… [insert what's true for you here].

I was abused at the age of nine and for decades I held the story in and told myself ‘There's nothing that can be done’.

It took me time, but I have moved …

from silence to speaking.

from indifference to kindness.

from frozen to embodied.

from powerless to assertive.

I want this for you too.

It’s possible to reclaim a sense of Personal Power. Personal Agency. Sovereignty.

There were key actions I took that created crucial shifts in perspective and they supported me to change my story from … ‘there’s nothing I can do’ to ‘I can create the life I want’.

And if I’d had the benefit of working within a group of women with like experiences, I know I would have got there so much faster.

There is a pathway…

While everyone’s experience of trauma is different and our individual journeys are unique, there is a pathway that leads to personal agency and sovereignty. Through my own journey and supporting other survivors, I’ve mapped out that pathway.

There are 4 stages

1 Existing

When we’re just EXISTING there can be disconnection, sadness, denial, emptiness, repression, fear, confusion, dissociation, disorders, feeling alone… [add your own experience here].

2 Opening

When curiosity and questioning rise up, or it becomes impossible to keep holding everything in, and you decide it's time for change. You want personal agency. It's a time of choice.

3 Growing

Reclaiming your power. Embracing your expression. Reclaiming your mind and body. Processing the past. Releasing what’s no longer serving you and inviting in what you desire.

4 Flourishing

A place of peace, freedom, gratitude, grace, acceptance, happiness, flow, love… [insert your own vision of Flourishing here!]

Let me show you the practices that have supported me in navigating this pathway.

Within a confidential container of a small group of women, we'll explore a variety of practices that include:

Writing prompts to tap into expression.
Movement and dance to shake out the stuck energies – like wild animals, we'll allow the wild woman to emerge.
Sharing circles.
Meditation to connect within, discern our needs and nourish our souls.
Cacao Fire Circle for release and invocation

It begins with one simple but powerful choice.

A choice that it's time to take back your power.

I want you to benefit from the wisdom I gained along my journey, and together we’ll affirm each other and rise.

Numbers are limited to a small group of 6 participants only.

Your exchange for the weekend is $250 plus booking fee.

What’s Included?

accommodation in two-bedroom self-contained units (private bedroom, shared bathroom and living space) just a short stroll to the front beach (address provided upon registration)
linen and towels
all meals excluding breakfast (minimal communal preparation and clean-up requested)

Additional optional activities:

Morning Beach dip/swim
Beach walks

The biggest 'f@#% you' you could give the perpetrators is to reclaim YOU!

Join me at this ‘Speaking From The Scar’ weekend retreat. An experience created exclusively for women who have experienced CSA and are ready to explore their relationship to power and get ready to claim it back.

It’s time to connect with your inner lioness and ROAR!

I want to emphasise, this is not therapy (although you may find it therapeutic), it’s an opportunity to learn from the experiences of someone who's been where you are and connect with women with like experiences who are also on the journey back to reclaiming their power and themselves.

If you are unsure if this offering would serve you at the current stage of your journey, please email me to discuss and should you have questions about the content, structure or any aspect of the weekend, please email also: retreats@sorrentoapartments.com.au

Or connect with me on Instagram: @iamkarengarton
or Facebook: Karen Garton

Contact the host of Speaking From The Scar - Retreat March 2025