Perry, Florida

I was about 11 when I was first molested by an older cousin babysitting me, it would happen most afternoons after school. When I was 12 I befriended a teacher that lived down the road from my house and of course I trusted him… he was a teacher. He would make these really neat rings and bracelets out of leather and he was teaching my brother and I how to make them. One day when my brother decided to go home early he pulled me to him and kissed me then stuck his hands down my pants. I finally got away but again I never told anyone… who was going to believe me? The trend continued on. I was again molested by another cousin while at my grandmother’s house and that was on a daily basis. This went on for several years and by the time I was 17 I was raped twice… one in the family and one a stranger.

I have kept this a secret for so many years because I figured I must have deserved it if it continued to happen. I have struggled with this and at 14 I developed and eating disorder which I am still struggling with today. I am now in a relationship that is abusive but I have two wonderful children who mean the world to me. My husband told me that couseling is stupid and a waste of time, but I have started going anyway because I NEED to heal so that I can be the mother my children deserve.