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Believe Her

Originally posted at http://shessomebodysdaughter.wordpress.com/2013/04/19/believe-her
April 19, 2013 · by

redsneakers

Would you know the signs to look for if you suspected that someone – a child – in your life was being sexually abused?

It has been our observation that perpetrators of child sexual abuse are often frequent users of pornography. And unfortunately, the victims too often suffer in silence.

It is our desire to speak truth and help raise awareness about this issue, to empower others to offer help, and so we put the above question out recently on our social media sites. Through those connections, a courageous college student, a sexual abuse survivor, answered us by writing the following article, and shares bits and pieces of her personal journey.

Please note that this is for raising awareness and informational purposes only. We strongly urge you to speak with a professional directly if you have any questions or concerns about sexual abuse (resources available here).

And so with that, we will let guest blogger Magali, share for herself:

When writing about the signs that would help create awareness on the topic of sexual abuse, it was hard to make a distinction between emotional and physical symptoms because they are so linked together.

This article is written from a female survivor’s point of view.

Sexual abuse is a wound that affects a girl wholly: psychologically, emotionally, physically and spiritually. It also affects the way we see sexuality and men.  The damage done runs deep and much time is needed to recover.

We are all different and every one of us react to things in different ways. The following are common signs one can take notice of in a girl who is a victim of sexual abuse.

When something, such as a sexual abuse, happens to anyone, it affects the body first: feelings of being defiled and dirty – the hardest thing is that your body has been attacked – and you cannot get rid of this. You cannot put this in a room somewhere and not think about it. What happened lives in your flesh.

The pain is often unbearable…and these signs and symptoms are simply ways to cope and/or to deal with that pain.

DISSOCIATION

A lot of people resort to dissociation, separating the body and the mind in order not to think about what happened in our bodies or feel the pain. For me, I hated what the person did to me and my body; I hated my body and so I started dissociating.  There was my physical body, which I didn’t want to think about, and there was me – a thinking, feeling being.

Dissociation is also a way to protect oneself of all the emotions too painful to feel. To make it simple, there was my body, my mind and my emotions  – all separate. I used to think of me as just a mind, I didn’t want to think of me as a woman, with a body. I didn’t want to think of me attracting boys or men.

mirrorGUILT SHAME AND DENIAL

After the abuse, a victim also feels a great deal of guilt and shame. We cannot believe it happened to us; we’re ashamed, we feel it happened because of something we did. The instinct is to hide it, but to keep going, pretending it never happened. That’s dangerous and leads to a lot of damage. You can keep it all bottled up inside for only so long and when it explodes to the surface, it comes back in full force, as if it had happened yesterday.

EATING DISORDERS

Eating disorders often stem from sexual abuse because of dissociation and the discomfort we feel towards our own bodies.

Eating disorders are only the symptoms revealing that a girl or young woman has a twisted perception of what her body is. She doesn’t want to see herself the way she really is…the way she was designed to be.

Eating disorders are linked with self loathing, guilt, shame – it’s a very complex disease. (visit ‘Tell Me What You See as a resource and for more information)

SELF HARMING

Some victims feel so much guilt and shame that they have to take it out on themselves. Self harming is not only cutting it can also be scratching, burning.

Advice: the girl may not always cut on her arms, she might cut somewhere so it will not be noticed.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND ADDICTION

Substance abuse can also be a way to deal with the pain and often leads to a drug addiction.

POST TRAUMATIC STRESS

Post traumatic stress is hard to describe precisely for each person, but often nightmares, panic attacks, unwanted memories and flashbacks haunt us as victims. Post traumatic stress is not rational  – it’s basically how our emotions choose to express themselves.

I remember having panic attacks in a class managed by a man, he had done nothing wrong or inappropriate, but just the idea of sitting down in his class was unbearable. It’s not a rational thing; yet the emotions are so strong and just as hard to navigate.

lonely-girlTHE NEED TO FEEL SAFE

A victim of abuse will feel the need for protection, a need to protect herself. She will build up walls, physically and emotionally.

Physically:

1. She might change the way she dresses, to prevent boys or men to be attracted to her.

2. She might not want to sit close to a man or a boy. Being on a bus or a subway is still a nightmare for me.

Emotionally:

1. She will distance herself and not let anyone get close to her. I was always in control,  choosing what I would say, what I would do in front of people. I would lie through my teeth swearing up and down that I was okay when asked; please don’t take it personally when we lie…we lie to ourselves first and foremost.

2. If the girl has friends who are boys, she might have a difficult time being around them.

UNEASINESS TALKING ABOUT SEXUALITY

Obviously, they will be uncomfortable with the topic of sexuality and the topic of dating, relationship with men/women. Our minds associate sexuality with the abuse even if it couldn’t be farther from the truth and anything that isn’t safe is out of the question.

ATTACHMENT TO CHILD BEHAVIOUR

After abuse, I didn’t want to think of myself as a woman so I was semi-consciously reverting back to acting like a child, sleeping with a teddy bear…

DEPRESSION

This looks like having trouble getting out of bed in the mornings, not wanting to make plans with anyone, wanting to stay in all the time, an overall sadness, not smiling, not laughing, shutting yourself off.

MOOD SWINGS

MY ADVICE IF YOU THINK YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO WAS OR IS BEING ABUSED:

  • Please be patient. Considering the amount of trauma she’s been through, she will not open up easily.
  • Tell her you love her and that it’s going to be okay. Assure her that you are going to be there for her no matter what!
  • If she says she was abused, believe her; you don’t need to know every single detail!
  • Help her find a safe place, a counselor she can talk to
  • Allow her to recover in her own time – don’t rush it and don’t force her to talk

paintingTHE RECOVERY PROCESS

Let those trained to deal with sexual trauma and abuse do their work. I understand it can be hard for families or friends to be kept out of the process, but it’s necessary.

Be happy and encouraged that she found someone safe to talk to, even if it’s not you.

ON THE TOPIC OF FORGIVENESS

Be really careful with the topic of forgiveness: don’t push it or rush it! Just hearing the word made my insides scream! I remember hearing about it at church, and at the time it took all I had in me not to explode and run out of there.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

  • encourage her
  • tell her you are praying for her
  • support her when she talks to you
  • you can also help her find an outlet for letting all the emotions out; if she’s a creative person: painting, drawing, writing, singing, or if she’s more active: find a sport

It is our hope, along with Magali’s, that by publishing this information we all will have a new awareness of those around us who might be suffering in silence, and be willing to offer help and hope.

♥ Thank you, Magali, for sharing so openly and honestly – and so courageously! ♥

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Adult Manifestations of Childhood Sexual Abuse

Adult Manifestations of Childhood Sexual Abuse
Full PDF article and figures can be found here:
http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/wwwfiles/ph/media/media/TPH-409.pdf

Background

While childhood sexual abuse (CSA) continues to be a major public health problem, an equally severe and silent epidemic are the estimated 39 million adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse in the United States who continue to exhibit aftereffects of CSA that predispose them to adverse psychosocial outcomes throughout their adolescent and adult life.

Early childhood traumas such as sexual abuse can have lifelong effects throughout adulthood, and the cost to society is high. Ninety percent of cases go unreported and untreated, as the symptoms of CSA are often misdiagnosed and unappreciated.

This article attempts to provide clinicians with awareness of the neurodevelopmental effects of CSA, the adult clinical symptoms, and the adverse psychosocial outcomes of CSA. It will also present tools to help identify the aftereffects of CSA in adulthood and provide mandated reporting protocols.

Definition

Sexual abuse is defined as any sexual activity that a child cannot comprehend or consent to. It includes acts such as fondling, oral-genital contact, and genital and anal intercourse, as well as exhibitionism, voyeurism, and exposure to pornography. A central characteristic of any abuse is the dominant position of an adult that allows him or her to force or coerce a child into sexual activity. Researchers have determined that child sexual abuse victims come from all cultural, racial, and economic groups. The lack of a universal definition of CSA contributes to the complexity of data collection and estimates.

Incidence and Prevalence

Currently, CSA prevalence in the U.S. is not known, but estimates vary from 12% to 40%. Incidence studies suggest that while on average 5.5 children per 10,000 enrolled in day care are sexually abused, a greater number of children (8.9 children per 10,000) are sexually abused in their home. Further CSA studies suggest that 53% of the abuse occurs in the home, 57% report the perpetrator was a family member, and 65% report repeated abuse. Overall, studies show that 1 in 3 females, and 1 in 6 males have experienced childhood sexual abuse by the age of 18.

While nearly 90,000 cases of child sexual abuse are reported each year in the U.S., between 88%-90% of CSA cases are estimated to be unreported and interestingly, between 21%-49% of CSA victims appear asymptomatic following victimization. The lack of disclosing a history of sexual abuse contributes to the lifelong effects of the abuse.

Neurodevelopmental Damage of CSA

Controlled studies have shown that adult survivors of child sexual abuse (ASCSA) are more likely to exhibit adverse psychopathologies in adulthood, and neuroimaging studies confirm that exposure to sexual abuse in childhood alters the neurobiology and neurostructures in the brain, leading to scarring, an abnormal neurohormonal response to future stressors, and predisposes the victim to a lifetime of negative consequences.

Neurological damage from sexual abuse alters early brain development, increasing the risk for psychopathology in adolescence and adulthood (Table 1). The hippocampus, responsible for new learning and memory, plays a critical role in recording emotions that are attached to a stressful event such as sexual abuse. The hippocampus is known to be very sensitive to stress. During stress, high levels of glucocorticoids are released, and over time (as observed among CSA victims, including those re-victimized) elevated levels of glucocorticoids damage neurons in the CA3 region of the hippocampus and lead to atrophy. While the hippocampus has been shown to regenerate neurons, stress inhibits neurogenesis.

Abnormalities of the hippocampus have been shown to be associated with pathological fear, mood imbalances, and anxiety reactions in trauma-related disorders (also hallmarks among ASCSA).

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies have demonstrated a 12% left hippocampal volume size reduction among adults who have been sexually abused in childhood as compared to healthy controls (Figure 1). Similar reductions are exhibited among subjects with trauma-spectrum disorders such as depression, dissociation, PTSD, and borderline personality disorder. In addition, the amygdala, responsible for emotional and fear regulation, is affected by early sexual trauma, resulting in similar psychopathologies.

Studies suggest sexually traumatized children are also less able to utilize both brain hemispheres to process experiences. The corpus callosum, a longitudinal fissure that connects the left and right cerebral hemispheres, is shown to be abnormal in sexually abused children. Generally, the left side of the brain processes positive emotions and logical thinking, and the right processes negative emotions such as fear. When the corpus callosum is not operating properly these processes are unable to function at the same time, thus supporting theories why many abused individuals divide people into “all good” or “all bad” and exhibit mood swings, as observed in borderline patients.

Adult Manifestations of CSA

There is no adopted definition to identify the symptoms exhibited among ASCSA; however, evidence-based research has confirmed long-term effects of CSA in adolescence and into adulthood. Later in their lives, many ASCSA, whether reported or not, exhibit psychopathology, acting-out behaviors (social dysfunction), relationship problems (interpersonally), somatic symptoms, and sexual disorders.

CSA survivor studies suggest that ASCSA use health care services more often than the general population, are shown to exhibit more somatic symptoms that do not respond to medical treatment, and present more severe and complex symptoms.The response to sexual abuse during childhood varies, and is largely dependent on 1) age at onset; 2) severity; 3) duration; 4) relationship to the perpetrator; 5) the child’s resiliency; and 6) stability of and support from the family.

Childhood survivors might initially seem unaffected by the trauma; however, by adolescence and adulthood, the consequences eventually become symptomatic, resulting in eating disorders, dissociation, phobias, obsessions, borderline personality disorder, depression, anxiety, bulimia, obesity, post traumatic stress disorder, hallucinations, conduct disorder, substance abuse disorder, panic disorder, antisocial personality disorder, affective disorder, and impaired sense of self.

Behavioral Effects of CSA 

Acting out

Children are limited in their physical, cognitive, and emotional development and, thus, dependent upon adult and often sibling caregivers to provide love, trust, and support. Once a child is violated however, shame and stigma often follow, as well as fear that disclosing the abuse will result in re-victimization, loneliness and isolation, physical violence, and death. Poor coping skills are common among this cohort, such as substance abuse, tobacco use, overeating, addiction, lying/stealing, poor academic performance, expectation of early death, poor adherence to medical treatment, suicide, anger, prostitution, and increased risk of sex crimes.

Relationship problems

Controlled studies identify an association between childhood sexual abuse and adult relationship problems. Adult manifestations of CSA increase the risk of intimate partner violence victimization and perpetration, rape after 18 years of age, low self-esteem, intimate relationship problems, divorce, interpersonal problems, victim-perpetrator cycle, superficial idealization of sexual relationships, and the inability to trust others.

Somatic symptoms

Evidence illustrates that CSA also results in biophysical changes. ASCSA show a decreased threshold for pain. Other effects include a heightened sensitivity in the pelvic or abdominal region, various bowel symptoms, musculoskeletal disorders, back pain, severe headaches, gastrointestinal problems, sleep disorders, asthma, and pseudocyesis.

Sexual disorders

Adult manifestations of CSA increase adolescent and adult risk of exposure to sexually transmitted diseases, compulsive sexual behaviors, early sexual activity, extreme masturbation, sexual promiscuity, poor sexual adjustment, poor contraceptive practices, and teen pregnancy.

Functional amnesia

Functional amnesia (dissociative amnesia–dissociative disorders) can develop after severe trauma, such as child sexual trauma. This is especially true among children experiencing severe sexual trauma or in those aged 5 years or younger. Functional amnesia among CSA cases varies widely, from 19% to 88%. While theories about amnesia and delayed recall of CSA vary and may be controversial due to false memories, it is important to recognize that later in adolescence or adulthood, the victim may not recall the experience. Additionally, if the abuse occurred in middle childhood, ages 6-12, the victim may 1) develop false memories that the abuse ever occurred; 2) be in denial; or 3) be unaware that the type of experience was determined to be sexual abuse. 

Role of the Clinician

The clinician plays an important role in caring for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Because the presenting symptoms can be somatic in nature, the role of CSA in the patient’s illness or presenting symptoms can be overlooked.

Despite never reporting the abuse, 85% of adult survivors of child sexual abuse favor physician screening. Directly asking patients about the occurrence of abuse has been shown to elicit more positive responses compared to self-reporting, 29% versus 7% respectively. Further, especially among adolescent patients, it is important to remember that early disclosure of sexual abuse by the victim is critical to reducing the effects of CSA and to helping reduce psychological distress later in life. Symptoms of ASCSA can vary greatly and, in fact, the patient can be asymptomatic.

Evidence-based research suggests that many interventions can be useful in this population. For example, coping-skill interventions seem to help diminish or prevent post traumatic stress disorder and related adult aftereffects of CSA. Physicians can use the SAVE universal screening tool (Table-2) for childhood sexual abuse in adulthood, developed by the Florida Council Against Sexual Violence. This useful tool screens patients for sexual violence.

Physicians should also be familiar with their own hospital, clinic, or HMO policies and procedures regarding sexual violence reporting, as well as the use of specific reporting forms. The California Medical Training Center develops instructional materials and conducts training in clinical forensic medicine techniques for physician and other health care professionals, social workers, and related reporters.

 

James M. DeCarli, MPH, MPA, CHES
Injury and Violence Prevention Program
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health

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Effects of Childhood Sexual Abuse, Part 6

Effects of abuse on children, part 6
By Paul Irby Special to the Abilenian
Abilene Reporter-News
Posted June 10, 2009 at 3:25 p.m.

Over the last five months we have examined the possible effects of childhood sexual abuse on its victims. These effects were considered with regard to the impacts on cognitive, emotional and behavioral dimensions. In this article bringing a close to this series, I would like to address some common myths or misconceptions prevalent in our society.

The first misconception to be addressed is the narrow definition often assigned to sexual abuse. A complete conception of sexual abuse should also include exposure to graphic sexual material. Exposure can include Internet, magazines and video, as well as witnessing adults engaging in sexual acts. It should be clarified that a child who accidentally wanders in on parents having sex one time will not be forever psychologically damaged. Exposure becomes damaging and abusive when sex and sexual material is available frequently, without discrimination and/or purposely targeted to the child.

The second misconception to be addressed is the notion that victims of sexual abuse are somehow destined to perpetrate the abuse on other children. While it cannot be denied that the vast majority of abusers were abused themselves, it cannot and should not be assumed that the majority of abused children will become abusers. It is understandable how this misconception can be perpetuated given the increased likelihood that most abuses (physical, emotional and neglect) are handed down intergenerationally. Physical and emotional abuse are most likely to be handed down from generation to generation because they are usually impulsively expressed through anger and modeled frequently. Neglect is a more passive abuse, and is usually intergenerational because of lack of education and intervention. Sexual abuse is different in that it usually requires premeditation and incremental “grooming.” It is this premeditative nature of sexual abuse that decreases the likelihood of intergenerational transference compared to other abuses. It should also be noted that no victim of any form of abuse is destined to repeat it.

Lastly, I would like to offer some insight to parents who might be wondering how to best respond to their child who has been sexually abused. Typically there are two extreme responses parents can have, both of which are not best for the children. The first extreme is to “sweep” the abuse “under the carpet” after the initial disclosure, the family seeks to reduce the anxiety and awkwardness of talking about the abuse modeling an unwritten rule that this subject is now somehow taboo. The other extreme is when parents begin to define their child by the abuse, and consistently bring up the subject either in direct conversation or by initiating new rules for the child, such as not being alone with friends, going to friends’ houses and not being able to spend the night with friends. The best response parents can have is to resume normalcy in the routine at home and to let the child know that the parent is concerned about how the child might be dealing with being abused and is willing to listen if the child ever desires to talk about it.

I would like to personally thank executive director Kirk Hancock and the Mental Health Association of Abilene for allowing me to contribute these articles that I hope can be used as part of the healing dialogue in our community.

Paul Irby, M.A., is a licensed professional counselor with the Ministry of Counseling and Enrichment. Mental Health Matters is facilitated by the Mental Health Association in Abilene.

Original article found here:
http://www.reporternews.com/news/2009/jun/10/effects-abuse-children-part-6/

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Effects of Childhood Sexual Abuse, Part 5

Effects of abuse, part 5
By Paul Irby Special to the Abilenian
Abilene Reporter-News
Posted May 6, 2009 at 3:59 p.m

Since December, Mental Health Matters has featured one story a month examining the effects of childhood sexual abuse on its victims. Different dimensions to the individual have been considered, which include cognitive, emotional and behavioral. This order was chosen to illustrate the progression of abuse effects, beginning with how a child sees the world and self resulting in emotional experiences that lead to the behaviors which are the first noticeable signs. The behaviors that were last discussed were linked primarily to emotions such as fear, anger, depression and anxiety. This month’s article again focuses attention on the behavioral components that usually don’t manifest until puberty and later. The hope is that by discussing these issues, some insight will be gained into the possible motivations of these behaviors.

One important area to consider, especially in understanding victims of sexual abuse, is the impacts the abuse can have on the survivor’s sexual behaviors. As the person enters into puberty and subsequent arrival of sexual desire, there are two extremes that could possibly manifest.

The first is hypersexuality, which should be understood as an atypical promiscuity among peers. This hypersexuality in the life of an abuse victim is often misinterpreted by family and friends as evidence that the abuse may not have been as traumatic as once thought. However, nothing could be further from the truth. Many victims become hypersexual because sex for them was always something forced beyond their control and this hypersexuality is a means of having control over when and with whom they have sex. Another possible reason for the hypersexuality is to use sex as a means of retribution for their abuse. Sex in this context is seen as a tool for manipulation and self-gratification. One motivation for hypersexuality is linked most commonly among those who had a same-sex abuser. When a child has a same-sex abuser, this can cause confusion and concern in the victim that somehow the abuse will “make me homosexual.” Those with a same-sex abuser may become hypersexual in an attempt to concretely prove and reinforce to themselves that he/she is not homosexual. This understanding should not be somehow aligned with the myth purported in our society that gays and lesbians are pedophiles or that sexual abuse is a “cause” of same-sex attraction.

The other possible extreme of sexual behaviors manifested in the life of a sexual abuse victim is that this victim becomes asexual, which should be understood as having extremely low or no sexual desire. For the abuse survivor who is asexual, often it is because sex for them is so closely associated with their abuse/abuser and is viewed as a filthy violation.

Addictions also develop in the lives of abuse victims. Having worked with some victims who also had a history of substance addictions, a common scenario has developed. Stemming from the original notion that he/she is different from other people because of the abuse, in early adolescence any social invitation is viewed as a chance to “feel normal and accepted.” Often at social gatherings this person is offered his/her first drink or hit of a drug. Accepting this offer again can validate acceptance and “normalcy,” and often has the added affect of numbing the child from feeling depressed, fearful or angry. Add to this a predisposition for addiction and an addict is born.

It is important to keep in mind that hypersexuality, asexuality and addictions occur in a variety of arenas for a variety of causes, and not every person who possesses these signs are victims of sexual abuse. As we have discussed, it is the underlying motivation behind them that links them with abuse.

Paul Irby, M.A., is a licensed professional counselor with the Ministry of Counseling and Enrichment. Mental Health Matters is facilitated by the Mental Health Association in Abilene.

© 2009 Abilene Reporter-News. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Rick Pitino’s Rise Back to the Top

Originally posted: http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/blog/eye-on-college-basketball/22032475/rick-pitinos-rise-back-to-the-top–

By: Jeff Goodman
College Basketball Insider

ATLANTA — Rick Pitino stood a few feet to the side of the basket, his hand interlocked with his wife Joanne’s. Neither were unable to contain their emotion as One Shining Moment blared throughout the Georgia Dome. This had to be a dream.

Pitino’s marriage nearly fell apart five years ago after he admitted to having sexual relations with another woman and it played out in front of the country, even the world, in the media. There were jokes, there was humiliation. His career seemed over a couple years ago when he was getting annihilated on the court and in recruiting circles by the guy who he couldn’t stand, Kentucky’s John Calipari.

But here he was, hugging and kissing his bride of more than 35 years, in a scene that didn’t look improbable not all that long ago. It looked virtually impossible.

There he was, sitting on the podium exactly one year after Calipari won his first title, becoming the first coach in history to get one with two different schools.

It had been an emotional week, beginning on Wednesday when he almost simultaneously learned that his son, Richard, had accepted the Minnesota job and also that he had been elected to the Hall of Fame. Just following the win Saturday against Wichita State in the national semifinals, Pitino watched the replay of his horse, Goldencents, winning the Santa Anita Derby, thus qualifying for the Kentucky Derby.

Then he cut down the nets on Monday night after Louisville’s 82-76 victory over Michigan in the national title game.

It’s all been against the odds for Pitino, whose life has been a virtual roller-coaster ride over the last couple decades or so. There was the national title in 1996 with Kentucky, then the train wreck three-plus seasons in Boston with the Celtics. He took Louisville to a Final Four, but then came the Sypher mess, in which she tried to extort him and also claimed it was rape.

“We’re a family that’s had a lot of difficult times,” Rick Pitino said.

“Our family has been through a lot,” his son, Richard, added. “But it’s made us stronger. It’s made my dad stronger.”

Pitino has moved past it, but won’t ever forget. He won’t forget his best friend, his brother-in-law Billy Minardi, who died in the World Trade Center attacks back on Sept. 11. He won’t forget about what he did to his family with the Sypher situation. He won’t forget where this program was just a few years ago when everyone had written him off following a 20-13 campaign in which the Cardinals were knocked out of the tournament in the first round.

That’s what makes this so special. That’s what makes this smile so real.

Rick the Ruler is gone. Sure, he still yells and screams at his players, he still makes his assistant coaches make a certain weight. But he’s not the same guy he was the last time he cut down the nets in 1996.

“He’s changed,” Richard Pitino said. “He’s been humbled.”

He had no choice. That’s what nearly losing everything will do to an individual. He nearly lost his family, and nearly watched his career be taken away.

Pitino didn’t take shots at Calipari this season even though he certainly could have done so with that “other” team struggling to an NIT bid. Instead, he elected to take the high road, when that wasn’t always the case in the past. Pitino has grown, as a person and a coach. This group wasn’t nearly as talented as the one in ’96 that was loaded with pros, but it won because the players genuinely bonded with one another and their coach.

Pitino appeared in a state of shock as the clock ticked down and the final buzzer sounded. It was less than three years ago that he was testifying against Sypher, about the same time as Calipari wasn’t just ruling the state of Kentucky, but also ruling the entire college basketball world.

There was no way Pitino would ever be relevant again, not as long as Calipari was breathing in the Commonwealth. A year ago, Calipari took a bunch of heralded recruits and cut down the nets in New Orleans. Pitino also snipped the nets, but he did it by developing and coaching his players. There may not be a single player on this year’s team that gets selected in the first round of June’s NBA Draft. Calipari had four players off last year’s group hear their names uttered in the first round.

Pitino called his entire family up on the makeshift stage in the center of the court moments after the players had finished cutting down the nets. It was time for a photo. Children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. There were more than 25 people — and every last one of them was smiling.

None more than Joanna Pitino.

“I can’t even put it into words,” she said. “It’s overwhelming.”

The last few years have been overwhelming for the Pitino family. There have been tragedies, humiliation and losses.

But Rick Pitino has somehow managed to overcome it all and wind up back on top.