Hello, my name is Angela. I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to you for taking the time to read this. Your attention to this matter is invaluable, as it has been overlooked for far too long. This is not just my story; it's a call to action for our children and communities.
My Story
The memories of his touch are almost blocked out, but not entirely. Specific moments remain etched in my mind, refusing to fade despite my efforts over the past 34 years. The first time he touched me, I was just 6 or 7 years old. I had fallen asleep on the couch while watching TV with my family. I awoke to find him behind me, his hand under my nightshirt touching my chest. Fear paralyzed me; I pretended to sleep, hoping it would stop.
I longed for the safety of my bed and the ugly lime green blanket that offered some semblance of security. Eventually, he carried me upstairs and continued his abuse in my room before leaving with a kiss on the lips—a scent of cheap cigarettes and body odor lingering in the air.
That night marked the beginning of years of abuse that robbed me of an innocent childhood filled with roller skating and playing with Barbies. Instead, fear became a constant companion as I cried myself to sleep each night, praying he wouldn't come in.
Despite therapy and medication, my mental health has never fully recovered from those traumatic experiences. I'm just one among millions of sexually abused children who struggle with depression, addiction, homelessness, or worse due to their damaged mental health.
A Mission for Change
Driven by these experiences and a passion for helping others—particularly those facing homelessness—I have written a children's resource book about sexual abuse. It gently addresses how children can seek help and includes blank pages for them to express their stories through words or illustrations if they feel too scared or embarrassed to speak out.
This initiative stems from two passions: aiding the homeless by providing food and water while realizing many face such circumstances due to childhood trauma; and empowering children with resources that could have helped me when I felt alone during my abuse.
Through conversations with others who have endured similar experiences—some confiding in me as their first confidante—I realized how crucial such resources are for empowering children today so they can grow into healthy-minded adults tomorrow.
Join Me in Making a Difference
I envision proceeds from this book supporting charities that feed the homeless while proactively addressing issues like child abuse prevention through education and empowerment initiatives within schools worldwide.
Together we can provide every child access not only educational tools but also vital resources needed now more than ever before—to stop abuse before it starts—and ultimately reduce future rates of homelessness & addiction by nurturing healthier communities today!
Please join me on this mission: help spread awareness about our life-changing (and potentially life-saving) resource book so every home & school has access! Let’s give children everywhere voices they deserve—voices heard loud enough until no child suffers silently again!