when i was a kid i loved everybody and everything. One night my parents went out and asked my moms stepdad to watch me and my siblings. He did and i got my feelings hurt and went to him. He told me to lay down with him and i did. He touched me with his fingers and it hurt really bad. I never told anybody that night and it continued for about a couple years. That happen when i was about 8 or 9 and im now 17 and still havent told anybody. Some nights it pops in my head and i start crying it happen when i was on the phone with my boyfriend and didn’t tell him. This is my first time telling anybody who reads it.
— survivor, age 17
Dear survivor – thank you so much for honoring us by sharing your story. I am so grateful you felt comfortable posting here. What your mom’s stepdad did WAS NOT YOUR FAULT!!!! And you are not alone. What happened had nothing to do with YOU – it was HIS decision to do the wrong thing. I am so proud of you for speaking out. I would encourage you to talk to someone you trust – a therapist or a friend or family member you trust. I hope that writing down what happened here has taken some of the weight off of your shoulders and sharing can do the same thing. You can heal from this. It will take time and hard work and some guidance but I believe in you. Thank you so much for your voice. Love, Alexis