12/24/2020
CW: SA
The reality of sexual abuse.
Please share! Help me protect kids.
If you will gather with family and friends over the next few days for Christmas please keep this in the back of your mind if you have children. Sexual abuse rises during the holidays. You are gathering with people you trust but it is often the people you trust that are hurting your children. You think your children are off playing in the basement or a bedroom with the other kids. What you might not know is they are being sexually abused somewhere in that house by a trusted person. Check on your children frequently during these large gatherings of family and friends throughout your time together.
My mother took this picture of me when I 12 years old at my aunt and uncles house on Christmas Eve. She had no idea I had just been locked in an upstairs bedroom sexually abused at the hands of my older teenage cousin. Who threatened me to stay silent as we heard other relatives down stairs saying it’s time to open presents.
Tradition in my home growing up we opened presents on Christmas Eve after gathering at a relatives home. A relative always drove us home since my parents would leave before us to put the presents under the tree before we got there.
That night after my parents left that cousin sexually abused me for a second time. My mother thought she was giving us the best Christmas ever with the big surprise waiting for us at home. It was the trampoline Dad said we could never have because they are too dangerous. The sense of relief I felt when we got home and I knew I was safe. It was the worst Christmas.
10 days later we would gather again for my grandpa’s birthday where once again I would be locked in my cousins bedroom abused and threatened.
6 days after that another cousin had her Catholic confirmation party. I found myself that night stalked through the house by my cousin trying to corner me and get me in a closed bedroom. After trapping me in a pantry I was able to escape and hide in a basement behind a washer. I held my breath and prayed God don’t let him find me as he walked right passed me while looking for me. I escaped being sexually abused that night. Little did I know when he couldn’t get me that night he went for my little sister in that basement and sexually abused her. This was all happening at gatherings of 30 people. Don’t think that someone couldn’t get away with doing this with so many other adults around. It is actually easier that way. More distractions to not be noticed with so many people in one place.
Here is a great article on keeping your kids safe during the holidays. Don’t let your child be the next victim of a life changing crime.
https://incacs.org/protecting-kids-from-abuse-and-stress-during-the-holidays/
I ask each and every one of you to share this and maybe we can help save one child this Christmas. ❤️🎄
