Blog #10

After each week of the class ends and a new week begins, I realize how much all of these topics have a connection to my life.  I have never personally be sexually or physcially abused or assaulted but the other women I know have.  One woman I know was a teenager at the time she was beaten by her boyfriend, and two more were molested by family friends.  I feel fortunate to have never experienced such horrific abuse but because they were all close to me, I have witnessed the impact this type of abuse can have on a woman both immediately and for the rest of their lives.  As children and teenagers, molestation can effect behavior and also sometimes results in early sexual activity.  Both of the two girls who were molested engaged in this type of activity, got in trouble in school and got pregnant early in life.  They have been forever scarred by the abuse and have real difficulty with trust and relationships.  The teenaged girl who was beat by her boyfriend was quiet about it at first, never letting anyone know about what was happening-mostly out of fear of being hurt worse next time and out of shame for letting it happen.  She ended up becoming pregnant by him and the abuse continued.  After the baby was about six months old, he turned his abuse towards her one evening.  That was the last straw for her mother, she packed up their things, got a restraining order and took him to court for full custody.  She told me, “If he hits me, I can handle it–but he is not going to touch my daughter!”  She still lives in fear that he will snap again someday and has a hard time with trusting men and has remained a single mother. To take advantage and physcially hurt a woman or child is a very severe offense.  Its ramifications for the victim are lifelong and put constant strain on their relationships and self-esteem and self-respect.

Advertisement