I was abused as a child. He was my parents friend, and his children were my friends. He wanted me to touch his penis, one time he was supposed to drive me to his kids school but instead he drove to an isolated area near the forest. Then he pulled down my and his trousers and told me to sit on his lap. I was just a little girl no more than ten years, but when it started I was five or six years.
No one knows about this, my parents cut contact with his family when my little sister told our parents that he tried to touch her. When this happened my mother asked me if he had tried to assault me, but I said no. I was so confused and didn’t want to make my parents feel bad.
Now I’m married and have two wonderful children, but I still struggle with my memories.
— Maria, age 33
Maria,
Putting your experience to words and sharing for the first time can be incredibly healing. I hope that this is the case for you and that you find comfort knowing that you don’t have to hold the secret inside anymore. I also hope that sharing your story helps you to deal with the memories that you still struggle with. It is common to continue experiencing memories like this. If you would like resources to help you work through them, there is certainly help available. Lots of love to you and your family – Alissa