Sexual Abuse

Betrayed Trust Child Sexual Abuse - A Victims Story

Have you ever been touched in a way that has made you feel uncomfortable? Was it a friend, a stranger, or even a family member? If this has happened to you, you can and should do something about it. Many children are sexually abused, but feel too ashamed to talk about it or to ask for help. I know because I was one of them. 

When I was four years old, I went on a trip with my grandmother to visit her sister. While there, my grandmother's brother-in-law would take me out to see the animals they had on their farm. He was very nice to me, which made me feel comfortable enough to be alone with him. He very quickly abused that trust when he used the animals to get me alone so he could touch me in ways that made me feel uncomfortable. I would try to stay away from him, but he would always find a way to get me alone. I felt very stupid and embarrassed by this so I didn't tell anyone until four years later. My Grandmother and I left after five days. To me, it felt like a lifetime, but at least it was finally over or so I thought. 

I had no idea the abuse I endured during this short time affected me until I lost a partner I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. I had a hard time trusting the love that was offered and betrayed my partners trust in me. Since then I have received counseling and joined an incest survivors group which has helped me recognize my destructive patterns and end them. If only I had known all I had to do was tell somebody after that first time, or even say no and run away. I wouldn't have gone through all the heartache in my adult life. 

Please don't wait for the person to stop hurting you. Do something about it yourself. Sexual abuse is horrible and you do not deserve to have it happen to you. There are people specially trained to understand and to help you. There are places where you can talk to people who have had similar experiences. Sexual abuse is a criminal offense and the people who commit sexual offenses are sick and need help. So, even if you don't want to tell, do it, for their sake as well as you own. You can get legal protection through the courts if you want to. 

If you are being touched or talked to in a way that makes you feel sad or uncomfortable, tell somebody. Tell a teacher, a friend, or even a family member they will help you stop it. Remember, this is not your fault and you have done nothing to deserve the injustice that has been done to you. 

If you need help, or know someone who does, there are people who are more than willing to listen and help in any way. Here is a link to Crisis Intervention Services where you will find a list of trained people to help. 

I Cried Silently

No child deserves to be sexually abused. No child deserves to relive the memories of their sexual abuse as an adult. Remember no matter what you have done you do not deserve to be sexually abused in any way. And no matter what the abuser tells you, he will be the only one in trouble when you tell.