At 10 I was molested by an evangelical preacher/missionary who was supposed to be my “house parent” in a boarding school in Quito Ecuador. Speaking up did nothing. My family and the church brushed off my story. It was only my fellow boarding schoolmates, many years later, who believed me. Now living in a 55+ community I was approached by an old guy in the gym who made a comment about the butterfly on my tee shirt. If I jump up and down, he said, “it would flap its wings.” I guess he thought that was funny. So, I fear it never ends. Like my schoolmates, women must support each other.
— Irma, age 77
Dear Irma – thank you SO much for sharing your story here. You are absolutely right that women have to support each other. I have that someday we’re writing that everyone should support each other or – even better – that this kind of support isn’t needed because this kind of behavior has stopped. But please know I believe you and I hope the friends who believed you then were loving and supportive. I’m really glad you found this site and posted here. Your message is so powerful and I’m sending you all my love and support, Alexis