Survivor’s Story: Chang Kohsin

Kohsins Trauma

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After a devastating incident of rape, Chang KoHsin faced the dual trauma of surviving assault and contracting HIV as a result of this rape. She describes ‘travelling through the shadow of death, yet witnessing the miraculous works of God in her life’.

 

'Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me' (Psalms 23 v 4).

 

She experienced the depths of the valleys, just like psalms 23; almost dying of aids, yet still she also witnessed Gods miraculous intervention in her life. Kohsin developed her faith through visiting a church & joining Christian online sharing platforms.

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She was hospitalized with a collapsed immune system, delusional and in a coma for several days. She describes the enemy whispered lies of suicide in her mind, with thoughts compelling her to end her life. Instead, she clung to God’s promise:

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'The thief comes only to steal and kill... I have come that they may have life' (John 10:10).  

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Kohsins Background

KoHsin was born into a middle-class family in Taipei. Like many whom come to therapy, Kohsin felt a lack of love throughout childhood due to her parents' busy schedules. Her material needs where met but she felt that void of love, with lack of hugs, and no physical connection (which is common in Chinese culture) – As Therapists we know this is a key element to our early development, security and mental wellbeing. Kohsin is so grateful that later on in her life she received Gods gospel and found Jesus to be her ultimate Comforter.

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At the age of 15, Kohsin passed a church on her way home from school, she heard beautiful hymns coming from inside and decided to enter the church to listen. Because of her love for music, she joined a fellowship and was baptized as a Christian at the age of 18.

 

While studying at university, she obtained dual degrees in Mass Communication and English, but also studied the Bible throughout her 4 years in Christ College, actively participating in various ministries with a passion for God. Kohsin graduated in Taiwan, and came to the UK to pursue a master's degree in Global Journalism - dreaming of becoming a BBC journalist one day! However, during her time studying abroad, Chang KoHsin lost herself in a foreign land. She rarely attended church gatherings, stopped praying. Like many of us she found herself in nightclubs, seeking comfort in drinking and male attention – a path dangerous encouraged by media and the world around us, which leads to destruction. She describes being completely astray from God.

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Trauma 
At the age of 25, after a party, a drunken male sexually assaulted her. Frightened and unable to report the incident, she sought help from the campus physician at her university, but like many survivors, was too scared disclose to anyone. Kohsin describes the shame and guilt, that ‘dirty’ feeling weighed over her. Ultimately, she found herself taking the blame for this rape. As many survivors report, in order to cope she tried to forget her trauma and carry on with her studies in a state of denial.

For most of us, putting on a mask and carrying on feels like our only option... This started a journey of immense trauma which happened in 2006.

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Mental & Physical Illness

Im 2010, Chang KoHsin suddenly developed a mental illness - experiencing mania and erratic behavior, delusions and incoherent speech. Now married, her husband thought she had gone ‘crazy’ and urgently sent her to the hospital by ambulance. The medical examination revealed that she was dying with millions of HIV virus which invaded her brain, and shut down her body. This devastatingly led to AIDS, her immune system falling below 0, with several days in a coma - caused by acute brain dysfunction. She almost died of full-blown aids all as a result of the sexual assault she endured years earlier.

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Shocked beyond measure, Chang KoHsin heard the voice of the enemy (the devil) that said take all the medication in front of you and die tonight. This is unfortunately very common, our Christian Therapists see time and time again those who have suicidal idolation and throughts of self-harm which our out of their control. With biblical knowledge, we understand the spiritual elements at play behind this. Therefore we can call on God to break this pattern of thinking, destroying these suicidal thoughts - alongside continual therapeutic support.

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Divine Intervention

Kohsins condition became critical, and she was on the brink of life and death. To make matters worse, her husband was also diagnosed as HIV-positive, which was a devastating blow that nearly destroyed him and left Chang KoHsin burdened with guilt.

 

In February 2010, isolated in a hospital bed, Kohsin cried out to Jesus. Months later, at home, she heard His clear call: “Come back to me! I am waiting for you”. She thought she was going to die and go straight to heaven due to her weak condition - but she lived and knew it was the voice of God, calling her to go to her local Baptist church. She immediately called a taxi and went straight there...

 

At her local Baptist church, she prayed a forgiveness prayer, and experienced immediate spiritual liberation—repenting, forgiving her assailant, and releasing self-blame. As the prodigal daughter (Luke 15), she was embraced by the Father. She received spiritual healing that very night. She instantly felt lighter after, and chose to forgive and repent of her personal sins. This started the journey of learning the importance of forgiveness after trauma. Forgiveness for survivors of trauma is a tiresome battle, and a leading cause to many issues that impact our mental wellbeing. Forgiving horrific trauma, no matter how much therapy you have, it’s not easily done.

How can we forgive the seemingly unforgivable?

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Kohsin shares: “Unforgiveness is a poison which you put inside your body until the moment you forgive by Gods grace, and remember we were first forgiven by God’s grace. He forgave us when we were sinners and paid the price for us on the cross. Jesus forgave us of our sins even when we were a sinner.”

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Like many other survivors, Kohsin attests that true healing and the ability to forgive takes the power of the Lord. She knows it’s Jesus who met her in the midst of brokenness and despair. Just as he promised in the bible; when she came back as a prodigal daughter, God embraced her again and she received Gods love and healing (Luke 15:11–32)

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Spreading Hope and Healing

Her miraculous transformation by God's healing, is not something KoHsin can keep to herself. With a heart to see others set free from trauma, mental and physical illness, she felt a calling on her life to share her story. It took great courage to appear on TV and radio to talk about her trauma and past. The power of video communication knows no boundaries. Her testimonial video on Taiwanese TV received over 100K views. Afterwards, Chang KoHsin received invitations from abroad to share her testimony, from HIV to Christ in person and online. Her story has reached more than 20 nations, including; Taiwan, Japan, Philippines, Thailand, America, Pakistan, India, Kenya, Africa, and Malawi.

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Like our trained therapists at TTH, Kohsin has witnessed several victims of sexual assault across the world when sharing her testimony; who are accustom to hiding their pain and rarely discuss it. The fear to open up is, a global issue that needs to be addressed. The Therapeutic Hours safe spaces in person and online take radical steps to address this.

Chang KoHsin's courageous testimony has inspired many victims across the world who’ve been through trauma and sexual abuse.

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Kohsin felt the Lord share with her 3 points for her personal recovery:

• Repentance – True repentance is needed to allow the Spirit of God to come into your situation. When you open up your trauma the first thing you need to do is repent.

• Restoration – Restoration takes time and support, but through Jesus leading the way it will happen.

• Healing – Isaiah 53:4-5 states ‘Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.'

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Healing from Jesus is a promise from God for us as His children. God does not want us to stay with sickness, He is a loving Father, who gives good gifts to His children and He wants us to be well. As Andrew Wommack quotes “His promise is healing”.

 

Kohsin Today - From surviving to thriving!
Kohsin now shares her testimony globally, reaching 20+ nations. Her courage has sparked healing in countless sexual assault survivors silenced by shame. After battling postnatal depression, she authored "Real Mums, Real Struggles, Real Love, Real Jesus!"—interviewing 22 mothers to support women through pregnancy-related trauma.

 

Kohsin’s goal is to use her book to help many mums around the world, supporting woman who experience trauma, pre and post giving birth. The stories include testimonies of single mothers relying on the Lord, infertile mothers receiving divine healing, and many other miraculous testimonies. After completing the book and being supported in her safe spaces, Chang KoHsin's depression was also healed.

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Kohsin wants to share with TTH that Jesus, the living God still performs miracles today. Jesus healed Kohsins trauma of rape, her insecurities, her mind and her body.

 

Jesus told Kohsin – “You are no longer a victim of HIV, you are healed in victory through the cross!” Today she is a healing Evangelist, a preacher, a mother, a Christian speaker and author who shares her testimony across the world to reach many people with the gospel of Jesus Christ. With the right support and courage to speak out on whatever trauma you have, no matter how big or small – with faith, encouragement and support, your healing will come. The moment you encounter Jesus your life starts changing...

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Closing Words

If you have been through sexual trauma, please fill out our survivors form to be the 1st to receive our intensive therapy programme for survivors of sexual abuse.

Don’t let emotions build no matter how small, with a TL (Therapeutic Listener) you get access to a safe space for discreet weekly support. Learn to address issues and emotions before they can grow into mental illness or place us in crisis - our Wellness Packs offer a gentle practical guide through this, with a free gift for a healing moment of self-care.

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Access a Therapeutic Listener (TL) or one of our therapists here, for both spiritual (Christian rooted, focused on mental wellbeing) and standard support.

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If you recognize you need to forgive someone today – try this Therapeutic Activity recommended by Kohsin:

 

Write down the names of the people you need to forgive and let out your true pain and feelings towards them. Agree with yourself and if you can, with God in prayer that from this day forward, you choose to forgive. You can say this prayer and then discard your letter. Rip it up, burn it, whatever you need.

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‘God, I have been trying to forgive myself, and the person/s who hurt me, but I still carry shame and pain. Today, I receive that gift of forgiveness You hold out to me. Thank you for doing a healing work inside of me that I cannot do on my own. Thank you for a new day, a new chapter, and a new beginning. Amen.’

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You Are Not Alone  
If you’ve experienced sexual trauma:  
➜ Prioritize Support: Fill out our Survivors Form to access our intensive therapy program.  
➜ Prevent Emotional Buildup: Connect weekly with a Therapeutic Listener (TL) for discreet, safe space.  
➜ Explore Healing Tools: Book a TL/therapist (Christian or standard support) or try our Wellness Packs

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