I grew up with domestic violence and emotional abuse. When I fought back or begged for it to stop, I was treated as the problem.
Between ages 10–14, a parent placed me in psychiatric hospitals four times.
I know now I was a traumatized child trying to survive.
From ages 12–16, I was molested and raped multiple times by older boys and adult men. I often froze and blamed myself.
At 14, I was kidnapped by a 25-year-old man.
At 16, I woke to my boyfriend’s adult brother raping me; after I disclosed it, my boyfriend beat, pistol-whipped, kicked, and held me captive for hours.
At 17, I entered a violent relationship involving sexual assault, followed by an abusive marriage lasting nearly 20 years.
My most recent relationship involved psychological abuse and SA while I slept.
I am seven months free.
After years of therapy and over a year of taking a trauma-informed class, I understand freezing was survival—not consent. I use my voice to raise awareness and help survivors feel less alone.
