I know people who have gone through far worse, and turned out far better than me, but I guess that doesn't negate my experiences right?

"no one can hurt me without my permission"

This is a good motto and sort of goes in line with what I say in this post to some degree. We can remove the power people have over us, it's a choice. Here's a quote by someone whose words I value.

Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of human freedoms - to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way. - Viktor E. Frankl

Thanks for your comment, I appreciate it greatly.