(thread) Had a few messages & comments regarding my mask tweet from orgs saying they didnt realise the effect wearing a mask can have on survivours they are working with. This is my experience, it won't be everyone. Unfortunately wearing a mask can bring back painful memories...

of sexual abuse/assault survivours may have been for eg. orally abused, had something put over their mouth or held face down during abuse. You can also hear yourself and feel your breath wearing a mask, this triggers memories of an abuser being close or feeling your own breath...

... when being gagged or orally abused. Masks feel restrictive, feeling trapped is terrifying for a survivour. Its hard to block out the memory when wearing one cos its your body that reacts. I start panicking when wearing one as my body thinks its in danger again, my body is...

..feeling under threat cos it experienced such trauma. The other side of this is seeing others wear masks. Survivours rely on body language ALOT & not being able to have reactions feels uneasy & out of control. Some of my abusers wore half masks/balaclavas. Seeing people wear...

masks again causes body to freeze, I feel I want to run away & hide as it feels dangerous. Im not against masks & the hardest part is feeling selfish, as survivours have such emapthy & want to protect others from harm - which is what masks do for COVID. The conflict is real...

... you want to protect those around you, but the idea of wearing a mask literally makes you physically sick, brings on panic & you freeze inside. No matter how much you tell yourself your safe, its the body memories that take over. Please be gentle with survivours with this...

... its not their fault another human being has installed such terror into them. We WANT to be able to wear masks & feel frustrated that it effects us so much. The other fear now is being stopped & questioned why we don't wear one, that brings its own anxiety. Please, if you...

...work with survivours, please realise the mask situation is a confusing time. Invite the person to explore why it's so hard, cos the reasons can feel so isolating. #WearADamnMask #coronavirus #CSA #WearAMask