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Life after child sex abuse difficult, but survivable

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A Lee Enterprises, Incorporated newspaper. Majority shareholder: David Hoffmann, Hoffmann Media Group.

Top Story

Life after child sex abuse difficult, but survivable

1 of 9

Susan Napolitano

Susan Napolitano plays with her dog Rosebud. The Lincoln lawyer was sexually abused as a child and says it's possible to survive and thrive.

Deb Perrin

Deb Perrin was sexually abused as a child and now helps others who went through similar trauma.

Deb Perrin at 3, about the time a relative began to sexually abuse her.

Layne Armstrong pauses to watch his crew's progress on a roof. Armstong said he's proud he has overcome the trauma caused by Joe Ballard's sexual abuse of him.

Layne Armstrong owns LA Roofing and Construction.

Joe Ballard

A Wounded Heart therapy group participant uses colored pencils and station paper to reflect on her feelings stemming from the child sexual abuse she experienced. The 42-week program, run by Lincoln counselor Deb Perrin, has served about two dozen women since 2011.

A woman who was sexually abused as a child makes word art about her feelings in a Wounded Heart therapy group session in Lincoln. The faith-based group based on a book of the same name by Dan Allender aims to help women process their trauma.

A woman draws word art instead of journaling about her feelings in a Wounded Heart therapy group session. The woman, who was sexually abused in her home as a child, doesn't write in journals because a family read her private writings growing up, therapy group leader Deb Perrin said.

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Riley Johnson

Life for thousands of Nebraska children who are sexually abused almost certainly will include struggles, but counselors, psychologists and survivors say there is hope.

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Susan Napolitano at 8 or 9, dressed as Raggedy Ann for a school play. This was about the time the abuse started. 

Courtesy photo

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Layne Armstrong stands with his Teammates mentor, David Kolowski.

Courtesy photo

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Reach the writer at 402-473-2657 or rjohnson@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LJSRileyJohnson.

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