Jaqueline's Story


My story
-Jaqueline



I'm in my early twenties. I was sexually and physically abused as a child by my father and cousin. I was also raped as an adult by a "friend". Well, all I can really say is that it is hard having those horrible things happen to me. I also believe rape and abuse should never be minimized. Most of the time I feel like the odd one out or the crazy one, I have flashbacks, I don't feel understood and that people think I'm abnormal. I have been getting professional counseling for over two years which has helped me enormously.

I'm starting to love myself and respect myself and feel less crazy/abnormal, which I find is hard when my rights have been disrespected by people that are supposed to have loved me and who I should be able to trust, but I do actually like who I am now. I also now believe that the rape and abuse was not my fault, and that it was my father, cousin and "friend" who should be responsible for what they done, not me.

I have gone through some horrible experiences, but I have come through and completed a degree in social welfare where I hope to meet and empower other people who are disadvantaged. I view myself as a different person now, I'm not the girl who was abused and scared all the time, I'm stronger, and I have hope in my life and am able to have fun my won way and empower others. I have hope that there are better things for me ahead, and I hope that my story can give other survivors hope that they can get through. I think what got me through was having one loving, respectful, loyal, understanding friend who I could turn to amongst all the abuse and violence, as well as my passion for academic achievement. I concentrated a lot on my studies and got good marks which I think helped me believe that I am valued and worth it. My counselor is also one of my saviors.

My advice to survivors is to make a friend who is loving and understanding, maybe get good counseling (if you would feel comfortable to do so) and to believe in your inner strength that helped you to survive being raped and abused. Every survivor is already strong as they have went through the unthinkable, and we all deserve a life of fun, achievement, respect and love.

-Jaqueline



















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