| Elaine's Story |
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My name is Elaine C. and I am a survivor of child molestation. I am 43 yrs old and only came forward a little over 8 yrs ago. I came forward only after police came to my home to tell me that the man I once called dad was accused and arrested twice for molesting children in his own neighborhood. State Attorneys couldn't build a case because the children's testimonies had changed a bit from when the crime was first reported. I avoided the police for about two weeks, my first thought was 'these kids will be fine, I was molested for 10 yrs and I'm fine.' I knew that was the wrong thought but at the time it seemed like the only safe response for me. I did finally come forward and share with the police that I was molested from the age of 7 to 17. I never told a sole because I was threatened each time that it would be horrible for my mother or brother if anyone were to ever find out. As I got older I understood what those threats really meant. If I gave him a hard time the night before he would take it out on my mother by hitting or punching her.
Fast forwarding I had to work with police by doing two controlled calls (police tape the calls) on the tape he admitted to molesting me.
We went to trial and I was finally released from my nightmare, he is now living a nightmare in prison for 25 years to life.
I now speak in open forums and in schools grades 6 - 12. In the two years I have been volunteering my time in the schools I have shared my story with over 7000 kids and 42 kids have come forward to share they to are living this horrible life. This is 42 I know about, in my heart I know more kids have come forward to others they trust.
I also wrote a book about my experience, it was a great form of therapy, but also a great tool for others either going through this or fear they know someone going through it. The book is titled "Stolen Innocence-The True Life Terror I Experienced as a Child."
My hope is for other victims of this crime will realize they are not alone, there are so many resources out there...and they will believe you!!!
Be strong.
My name is Elaine C. and I am a survivor of child molestation. I am 43 yrs old and only came forward a little over 8 yrs ago. I came forward only after police came to my home to tell me that the man I once called dad was accused and arrested twice for molesting children in his own neighborhood. State Attorneys couldn't build a case because the children's testimonies had changed a bit from when the crime was first reported. I avoided the police for about two weeks, my first thought was 'these kids will be fine, I was molested for 10 yrs and I'm fine.' I knew that was the wrong thought but at the time it seemed like the only safe response for me. I did finally come forward and share with the police that I was molested from the age of 7 to 17. I never told a sole because I was threatened each time that it would be horrible for my mother or brother if anyone were to ever find out. As I got older I understood what those threats really meant. If I gave him a hard time the night before he would take it out on my mother by hitting or punching her.
Fast forwarding I had to work with police by doing two controlled calls (police tape the calls) on the tape he admitted to molesting me.
We went to trial and I was finally released from my nightmare, he is now living a nightmare in prison for 25 years to life.
I now speak in open forums and in schools grades 6 - 12. In the two years I have been volunteering my time in the schools I have shared my story with over 7000 kids and 42 kids have come forward to share they to are living this horrible life. This is 42 I know about, in my heart I know more kids have come forward to others they trust.
I also wrote a book about my experience, it was a great form of therapy, but also a great tool for others either going through this or fear they know someone going through it. The book is titled "Stolen Innocence-The True Life Terror I Experienced as a Child."
My hope is for other victims of this crime will realize they are not alone, there are so many resources out there...and they will believe you!!!
Be strong.
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