I was sexually abused at age 13 by a youth leader at the fundamentalist evangelical church my family attended. 

When I disclosed the abuse at age 18 the church leadership hid the abuse, protected the perpetrator, and refused to inform the congregation. 

In my mid-thirties, 18 years after the original disclosure, I sued the perpetrator and the church. They wanted the scandal to remain hidden, so insisted on mediation. 

I was obliged to sign an NDA, thus keeping me from speaking further about my experiences. It provided me with no closure or justice. 

Now, another 18 years later, I have been very public in sharing my experiences. Sexual abuse is NOT a sin, like the church tried hard to have me believe. 

Sexual abuse is a crime. I will NOT be silent. #iwillnotbesilent