The Abuse

I have to go into a part of my life that I really didn't want to talk about but found being plastered online by my mother who mostly wasn't there. From an early age, yes, my sister and I were sexually abused. It wasn't just in my mother's house, but at my father's house as well but not by him. Both parents messed up. At my father and step mom's house was a neighbor's son that abused us. It was not one time; it was a few times. My mother and step dad had a friend who they let stay in the house—it was actually an apartment complex. I woke up one night with my sister yelling for my help. I found out that he hurt her. I did tell my mom and step-dad, but back then me and my sister told a lot of stories because we were just young and scared. They really didn't believe me. Then one night I actually slept in her bed, and he touched me. After that my dad kicked them out of the house and I was thankful for that. We also had a next-door neighbor right across the hallway from us. After school sometimes my mom and step-dad were not home and the next-door neighbor had all kinds of toys and G.I. Joe's, the Transformers, dolls—he had everything a kid could ever dream of playing with.

What happened next started out very innocent. He had different kinds of colored finger paints; he would paint our faces and our arms and our legs. One day he tried to get us to paint him, then he pulled his pants down, so I grabbed my sister and ran out of there. I told my step-dad about it, and he went over and kicked the man's behind. Then one day four teenagers that lived down the road took me and my sister and took turns raping both of us. My father had nothing to do with it. I'm not going to go into any further details about what happened to my childhood for I feel it is no one's business. Please understand this upsets me more than anyone would ever know. I am 43 years old and I've left my past alone. That's all I can say about the subject. Satan and I rebuke you in the name of Jesus. The Bible talks about the devil bringing up our past; I just remind him of his future. Understanding Childhood Trauma Childhood trauma, particularly sexual abuse, affects millions of Americans. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 13 boys experience sexual abuse before the age of 18. The effects can last well into adulthood, impacting relationships, mental health, and overall well-being.

When children experience abuse, they often lack the vocabulary or understanding to process what's happening. Many remain silent out of fear, confusion, or because they aren't believed when they do speak up. This silence can compound the trauma, leading to long-lasting psychological effects. The Journey of Healing Healing from childhood trauma is not linear. For many survivors, including myself, the path to recovery involves: Acknowledging what happened: Recognizing and naming the abuse is often the first difficult step. Processing emotions: Working through feelings of shame, anger, and grief that commonly accompany abuse. Reclaiming personal power: Learning that what happened wasn't your fault and finding strength in survivorship. Setting boundaries: Establishing healthy relationships with clear boundaries, including with family members who may have failed to protect you. Finding meaning: Many survivors find purpose in their experiences, whether through faith, helping others, or creative expression. The Role of Faith in Healing For many survivors, including myself, faith provides a crucial foundation for healing. The Bible offers comfort to those who have experienced trauma: "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." - Psalm 34:18 Faith can provide: A sense of being valued and loved unconditionally Community support through church families A framework for forgiveness (of self and sometimes others) Hope for redemption and renewal

When I say, "Satan and I rebuke you in the name of Jesus," I'm expressing a spiritual truth that has helped me overcome my past. Many abuse survivors find that spiritual warfare imagery helps them conceptualize their fight against the lasting effects of trauma. Breaking the Cycle One of the most important aspects of healing from childhood abuse is breaking the cycle. Research shows that without intervention, patterns of abuse can continue through generations. This doesn't mean all abuse survivors become abusers—far from it—but it does mean we must consciously work to: Recognize unhealthy patterns we may have normalized Learn healthy parenting and relationship skills Seek therapy or counseling when needed Create safe environments for the children in our lives Speaking Out Sharing my story isn't easy. At 43 years old, I've largely moved beyond these painful memories, but seeing misinformation about my past shared online has compelled me to set the record straight. When survivors speak their truth, several things happen: They reclaim their narrative from those who might misrepresent it They may help others who have experienced similar trauma feel less alone They challenge the culture of silence that often surrounds abuse Moving Forward While the past cannot be changed, how we relate to it can transform. For me, this has meant: Setting boundaries with family members who deny or minimize what happened Finding strength in my faith Focusing on the present and future rather than dwelling in past trauma Remembering that my experiences shaped me but do not define me As the Bible says, "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." (Isaiah 43:18-19) Resources for Survivors If you or someone you know has experienced childhood abuse, please know that help is available: National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network): www.rainn.org National Center for PTSD: www.ptsd.va.gov Remember that healing is possible, and no one deserves to face this journey alone.