Be a Voice for the Silenced. Be the Change. TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE, ONE LIFE AT A TIME!
“We owe our children…a life free of violence and fear.” — Nelson Mandela.
From an Amazing and Inspirational Survivor,
“I am a victim of rape and child molestation. I was 13 years old when the child molestation started and by 15, I was raped by my stepfather. My perpetrator, like so many child/teen victims, was someone who I was supposed to trust…someone who was supposed to love and care for me. I was not an average teenager. I was shy, withdrawn, and socially awkward. Looking back, I recognize that so many of my behaviors and traits were those of a victim of child abuse; it was because of the abuse I was experiencing. Victims feel the lowest of lows and indescribable betrayal when someone he/she loves and trusts emotionally, verbally, sexually, and physically abuses them.
People have asked why I did not tell immediately. My perpetrator threatened that he would hurt my two younger sisters if I did not ‘do what he told me to do and if I told.’ Me being the oldest, I would do ANYTHING to keep my younger sisters safe…including taking the abuse. I was young, vulnerable, and scared. The love I had for my stepfather turned into confusion and gradually into HATE! I hated that he took away my innocence; that he manipulated, threatened, and took advantage of me. Finally, I had ENOUGH and with courage and strength, I told my mom and she contacted law enforcement. My perpetrator/stepfather was found guilty and received a 20-year sentence.
Please listen to me when I tell you that YES, I am a victim but more importantly I AM A SURVIVOR. I choose to live with the mindset of being a Survivor who is Thriving as a successful businesswoman, wife, mother of 3 beautiful daughters, and grandmother of 2!
When you experience abuse or assault, you feel worthless, filthy, scared, confused, hurt, betrayed, and unloved. You think no one can love you and that you could never trust or love anyone again. I am here to tell you…YES YOU CAN!!
Every day you live is a choice to not let your past and the person who victimized you continue to have control over your life, thoughts, and fears. My faith is what sustained me. Even though I did not want to attend therapy when I was younger, I realized as a got older that attending counseling was invaluable. Those ‘couch talk sessions’ helped me to externalize my trauma experience, feelings, and emotions. Processing my trauma and attending counseling not only helped me heal but also positively influenced who I am in my marriage and in raising my daughters. It’s extremely hard to raise daughters after you, a girl their age, was abused. There are periods of times and seasons that are more difficult and trigger the past trauma including dark emotions.
NO MATTER WHAT, keep pushing forward. Remember you are NOT ALONE. Take it one day at a time and never give up…you are so much stronger than you know. Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for help and lean on others as needed. Others have walked a similar path as you and have overcome their past. CHOOSE to not allow the past and others to define your self-worth. You’ve got this!”
Written by an Amazing and Inspirational Survivor
Resources if you Need HELP…
CALL 911 if you are in danger.
To make a report of child abuse/neglect, call DFCS Child Protective Services by calling 1-855-GA-CHILD.
Adult victims/survivors can contact 1-800-33-HAVEN 24 hours/365 days.
Children, Adolescents, & Adult Victims/Survivors seeking counseling for trauma/PTSD can contact EnSpire Counseling & Wellness at 229-262-1000.