Of all the horrid ramifications of child abuse, the self-beliefs formed by the child reap the greatest destruction. Abuse is the most penetrating and permanent communication possible, and it always conveys to the child one or more of several messages: ‘I caused it to happen. It’s my fault because I am bad. I don’t deserve any better.
Heyward Bruce Ewart III, Am I Bad? Recovering from Abuse
abuse, bad, child-abuse, core-beliefs, self-blame, self-esteem