Sexual Abuse: A Survivor's Story

By Latanya Williams, 17, Staff Writer

Originally Published: Nov 1, 2000

Revised: Jul 13, 2007

Being raped is one of the most traumatic experiences anyone ever endures. It's something you deal with for the rest of your life. It leaves a dark mark that never lightens.

But you must find a way to move on.

Photo by Dan Strange

I was raped by my stepfather--the man I considered to be my father. I was 13. I was young and very innocent. I did not know how to do anything except trust the ones I loved.

And then my step-father shattered my life. He raped me. I felt nasty, hurt, angry, betrayed and, most of all, I felt like less of a person.

Except for my mother, my family was not there to support me. That made it even harder to deal with. Without God, my mother and two very good friends (Cynthia Liccardo, who prosecuted the case, and Tracy Cianfrocca, the investigator), I don't think I could have made it as far as I have.

When I used to cry, my mom was there, and when I needed to talk, my friends were there.

Afraid To Tell

It took years for me to move on. In the beginning, I was always watching my back. I couldn't sleep. Individual counseling made me feel worse. But I started to counsel myself. I made myself believe that it wasn't my fault. I went to school and I went to group sessions at Anchor House, a home in Trenton for runaway teenagers.

After the rape, I told my mother right away, even though my step-father warned me not to. I was afraid to tell because my step-father said that it would destroy their marriage. He gave me money. He paid me not to tell.

But I told anyway. My mother took me to the hospital and called the police. My step-father was arrested, but he got out on bail. The judge issued a restraining order, which meant that my step-father couldn't come anywhere near me. But one day, he followed me to school, and so they put him in jail until the trial.

Taking The Stand

When I turned 17, I finally started getting my life back in order. But then the case went to trial and in some ways it was like reliving the whole thing. Next to the rape, it as the most embarrassing and stressful thing I've ever endured. It was embarrassing because I had to sit on a stand and tell 13 people--strangers, really--everything that had happened that night. All the details of the rape. It was horrible.

Things got worse before they got better. My step-father's lawyer tried to say that this really didn't happen. But I knew it did. He tried to confuse me and bring up things from my past that had nothing to do with the case.

The part that really makes you sick is looking at the person who invaded your body. It makes you scared and nervous. I can still remember the feeling that went through me when I saw him in court. I had a flashback and I felt like he could do it again.

But I got through the trial with Cynthia's (the prosecutor) help. She talked about everything that would happen. We went to the courthouse the day before the trial. She showed me where everyone would be sitting and she let me sit on the stand so I could see how it would feel. She talked me through the whole thing.

A Guilty Verdict

The jury found my step-father guilty. He is serving 10 years in prison. I was glad he went to jail, but I also feel like it isn't enough. I still feel like I have to watch my back. But thanks to a few special people who didn't let me shut myself out from the rest of the world, I have been able to take control of my life.

I graduated from Trenton High first in my class. I was able to choose any college I wanted and now I'm in my second year at a private, all-girls college.

It's true that you never get over sexual abuse and rape. But you can learn how to deal with it.

If you have been raped, don't shut out the rest of the world. Talk to someone you trust. Get help. Remember that no matter what, you are somebody and you can achieve anything you want.

I'm living proof that anything is possible.

If you are being or have been sexually abused, get help! Call the toll free National Child Abuse Hotline (24 hours a day/7 days a week): 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) or RAINN's hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE (1-800-656-4673). Trained professionals will tell you how to get help close to home.

Your Comments

Wow

Posted by: kbrown29 on Aug 31st, 2009 2:43pm

You're a real inspiration to people who have been
raped/sexually abused. You are obviously a VERY strong
person for being able to face a jury and recall everything
that happened. I wish I was that strong but unfortuatley, I
blocked my abuse and rape out of my life and have never
talked about it until recently. But thank you so much for
sharing your story. I hope only the very best for you!

It happened to me to

Posted by: Carlene on Aug 11th, 2009 2:53am

My cousin raped me when I was 7! I still have nightmares
from it. I'm now 13 and my friends and family support me and
help me trough the tough times. It makes you feel better
when you know it has happened to other boys and girls so you
know how you feel.

THANKS

Posted by: Valentine_Isabella on Jul 16th, 2009 11:27am

My stepfather did the same thing to me when I was 13.... I
felt almost the same way and my family disowed me..but I
delt with it

Honey, WOW.

Posted by: && basically, alyssa on Feb 10th, 2009 5:35pm

you're stepfather? Mine too. But I could NEVER EVER do what
you did and I thankyou for showing me that someone actually
can. You're my new hero.

I'm proud of you!

Posted by: Gabby219 on Jul 17th, 2007 10:59pm

I went through close to the same thing. I was rapped twice,
once by my neighbor and once by my neighbor and his friend.
It was a horrible time in my life, and I still have flash
backs and problems from it but I'm slowly moving on. One got
off on probation and the other is in jail for I think 8 more
years. I was 14 at the time, I'm now 18. I think it's
amazing that you can share your story with everyone. I hope
you get everything you could imagine, 'cause you're a strong
person you deserver it.

Rape article

Posted by: jetsrock94 on Jul 17th, 2007 3:40pm

Thank you so much for writing this article. I was never
raped or anything like that but I admire the strength and
determination of this person to get over their devastating
experience.

Thank you for being so brave!

Posted by: angelicxcinn on Jul 14th, 2007 1:35pm

You did it- you spoke up and got yourself heard and didn't
let ANYONE tell you that you were wrong. I've been through
rape as well and never had that bravery, so I'm SO glad that
you did!

am proud too.

Posted by: sadush on Jul 14th, 2007 8:20am

what you've done was a brave and the right thing to do.

I am proud!

Posted by: Dannykan on Apr 3rd, 2007 5:48pm

Hey i am very proud that you faced to the jury and told them
everything and i can't imagine you telling them. it's so
hard! By you're stepfather. Omgosh!I have one thing for
everyone DON'T SHUT DOWN. YOU ARE WHO YOU ARE!JUST BECAUSE
YOU WERE RAPED doesn't mean you should suicide!

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