Stefanie's Child Abuse Story

Stefanie from the United States writes: When someone takes your innocence away at such a young age the aftermath is devastating. I was only five years old. Coming from an upper class family and being the only child, I thought my life was prefect. My parents warned me about strangers, but little did I know my trust would be broken from a family member. My grandfather. He would take me on these camping trips, strap me down in my car seat and begin masturbating on me. Afterwards, he told me I would receive candy only if I kept quite. This would go on for a while, until my parents started noticing my strange behavior. I would just start crying for no reason, or run and hide. Soon I could not take this abuse and I am so happy I opened up to my parents and told them what I knew at the age of four, "Papa Jerry is peeing on me." They took action right away by getting a restraining order and moving away, but the court system could not help me. They said since I am under five years old I could be in a imagination state of mind. It is sad, this criminal is still out there, around many children. I am now a graduating senior in college and volunteering at Child Abuse Prevention Centers. Helping other kids, like myself, get through such a dark period in their lives. I am a survivor.

Stefanie,

I'm glad to hear that you've taken your past and used it for the good. I like that you call yourself a survivor and not a victim.

Calling yourself a victim is like saying you'll never heal and that you'll always be at mercy of the "abuser's" behavior. Calling yourself a survivor, however, means that you're admitting that you've been hurt, but you're also acknowledging that you have the power to heal, regardless of what has happened to you.

I know how hard it is to tell someone about the abuse, so I wanted to commend you for taking that necessary step in healing. Because of your actions, you stopped the abuse. It's too bad that legal action failed to follow through. Hopefully, your grandfather has learned that his behavior was inappropriate.

Thanks for sharing your story, Stefanie! And many blessings on your journey of helping others!

With Love,

If you would like to comment on Stefanie's story, please post your comment below and I will post the comment on her page. Only encouraging, inspiring, and "been there-understanding" messages are accepted.

Search the Relationship-with-self directory for more child abuse stories...

	Enter your search terms Submit search form
	Web www.relationship-with-self.com