My name is Becca and I am 22 years old. I am the victim of child sexual abuse and was abused for approximately 7 years by my father. Even at my age now it is hard to put what happened to me into words. I was at the age of 7-14 years old when my abuse took place. It is only now that I realize something needed to be done. My father is currently facing charges of Rape of a child by force and will be going to jail any day now. My childhood was extreme and unlike any normal child, I had to face the ultimate fears and discomforts that I never thought I would. There was fear, there was pain, loneliness, concern for the rest of my family and what would happen if they found out. Especially my mother, whom never knew and with my father knowing the love I had for her, used that against me by saying that if I ever told her then she would be hurt and never be the same again; I couldn't take that chance. Seven years have passed and I have tried to make things work and have my father seek counselors, doctors, psychiatric assistance and it obviously never worked because I look at him with the same disgust and pain that I had always kept beneath me as a child. I am getting married this November and my fiance has helped me through these feelings and reassured me that I was still beautiful, still strong and helped me find the confidence that I had once thought I lost. My relationship with my future husband has been altered from my childhood. I will never be as close to him as I should or could because of the trauma I experienced as a little girl. The best part about that is that my fiance understands and I love him even more for that fact. So today I sit here in wondering if I did the right thing by pressing charges against him, I know I did. What my father did was wrong and unforgivable and It's only now that I know he didn't break me. I am a beautiful, smart, confident young woman and I am proud to say that he took no part in those accomplishments. I always thought I was alone, but am not. There are a lot of women and men out there just like me and they just need to know that what happened to them was wrong and they don't have to hide. We have a long life ahead of us and we should intend to live it the best we can. I have never been able to disclose this part of my life to anyone and I thank you for this opportunity.

Thank you,
Survivor (Becca)