I have my own #MeToo story.

I’m a victim of statutory rape.

To those who have met me and don’t know me very well, I come off shy. I didn’t always use to be shy. In elementary school, I had many friends and loved going to school and being around my friends.

But something happened to me when I was nine.

My uncle, David, started coming over and spending the night. He would come in to say goodnight and would kiss me and inappropriately touch me.

This continued until I was fifteen. I never mentioned it to my parents, friends or family because I didn’t think anyone would believe me.  At the time, I was so young, I thought I was partly to blame.

I knew more than a 9-15 yr. old should know about things that are reserved for marriage. I’m not going to go into greater detail concerning this, purely because I don’t think that it is needed to get my point across.

When I went home for Christmas, just a couple weeks ago, I wasn’t planning on telling anyone, but God was working in my heart. Finally, on Friday, December 27, 2019, as I sat down to dinner I told my parents what Uncle David did to me. Afterwards, we told my family about what had happened. They were so glad that I shared this with them, instead of continuing to hold onto this for the rest of my life.

I feel free. Now, this burden that had chained me for so long is no longer there.

I’m so thankful for understanding family, friends and a friend that helped counsel me through what had happened. Up until our first session, I still believed it was my fault.

The friend asked me to close my eyes and ask Jesus to show me something regarding what happened years ago.

Jesus brought me back to where it first happened. I was on the bed. Jesus was in front of me protecting me. A figure that looked like Satan was walking into my bedroom.

The moment Jesus showed this to me, I knew it wasn’t my fault. Jesus was there all along protecting me. Even though, He allowed it to happen, He allowed it to happen for a reason.

I don’t know what that reason is yet. God may use me in a life that has also been affected by statutory rape.

I want to be open and willing to do whatever God has for me.

This is me speaking out about a crime that should’ve never occurred. Unfortunately, this happens all too often and usually by a friend or family member.

God gave me the courage to share what happened.

If something similar has happened to you, I’m sorry. I  understand what you went through. You are not alone.

Ask God for the courage to share your story with who you feel comfortable with.

Speaking out about it is part of the healing process.

Satan prefers if we yield to him. He prefers us believing what happened is our fault. He prefers us being chained in fear.

Many that have suffered through this crime deal with it in different ways. Some may turn to drinking, drugs, gambling. Some may close up and be shy.

That was me. My body closed up after what happened. I became super shy because of it. Who knows where I might be if that had never happened?

I don’t know. But God still has an amazing plan for me because I am His child.

God thinks it’s better for those who harm little children to hang a millstone around their neck and drown in the sea.

Matthew 18:6

“But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.”

To those who may still not believe me or may believe the perpetrator over me, I pray for your soul. That God would open your eyes.  I don’t care if you believe me. The man, God and I knows what happened.

I’m not writing this to brag about my bravery. I’m not like the witness during the Kavanaugh case. If I made something up, it would be something amazingly positive, not something that destroyed my childhood.

I’m writing this for those who haven’t yet found their voice. I hear you. I see you. I believe you.

I never thought that I would be brave enough to share what happened with my parents, but right before I shared with them, I asked God for the words. I asked Him for peace and the help I would need to get through this.

God sees you. He knows what happened. I’m praying for you and I hope that you also may find the courage to share your story.

No matter if this happened to you last week, last year or last decade, even if you don’t believe me, it’s going to be okay. Not today. Probably not tomorrow or the next day.

Healing is ahead. God will be with you every step of the way.

If you are feeling courageous, feel free to contact me. I would love to hear your story. I would love to pray for you.