When I was 6 years old. I lived in the same building as my cousins. I spent everyday after school over there since my parents were working long hours. For about a week my girl cousin had detention and didn’t get home until an hour after school. So I walked home alone. The first two days were fine. But on the third day, my guy cousin who was 17 at the time came into the room I was in, and told me we were going to have some fun. He pulled down his pants and told me to get on my knees. It went on from there. I had an idea that what happened was bad but he told me he would hit me and so would my mom if I told. So I didn’t. This happened twice. I realized I should have told but it had been a few months since then. I thought if I told someone then, they would think I was lying. It’s been 11 years. I’m 17 now. Only 2 of my friends know I was assaulted. They dont know how, when or by who. I’m trying my hardest to find the best way to tell my mother. I just dont know how. I’ve been dealing with it since then. I’m still a pretty outgoing person. Most of the time, I write to express myself. I do spoken word poetry, but it is too scary to share the poems about him. I still see him when my family goes to visit. He acts like nothing happened. But I fear for myself when I’m alone in the same room as him and I’m also afraid for my siblings.
— Abi, age 17
Dear Abi – Thank you so much for sharing your story on the Brave Miss World website. It was very brave of you to write it here. What happened to you is not your fault but I understand how scary it can be sharing it with others. I hope the other stories help you see that you are not alone in what happened to you. Writing is a great outlet for your feelings and could be a great start to structuring the words to tell your family or other friends who might be supportive. There are also online chat rooms that can be a good source of support. A counselor might also be able to help you find a way to tell your family. I am proud of you for persevering. You deserve support and love as you work through what happened to you. You are very strong and I know that strength will get you through. Wishing you peace and support and love in 2016 – Alexis
Abi,
You are so brave to share you story here. It takes a lot to get it out even if no one knows who you are. It is never easy to tell someone about something when you aren’t sure how they will respond or if they will believe you. You have to know that none of it was your fault at all. He used the fact that you did not know what you were doing against you and manipulated you. The blame is all his and none yours. When the time comes that you want to tell your mom, no matter how she responds, just know that there are so many people in just the brave miss world community alone that would be so happy to be here for you and support you.
I wish you the best of luck in 2016. I hope you have a great year 🙂 -Breanna