Breaking the Silence: True Stories
Child sexual abuse thrives in secrecy, silence, and denial. Stop It Now!® Minnesota is committed to breaking this silence as a powerful tool in preventing the sexual abuse of children. We believe that by sharing stories we can help others struggling with similar issues find hope that they can heal and go on to live a healthy life.
We have gathered these true stories from community members who agreed to share their experiences so no child will be harmed by sexual abuse. Each story is unique, but together they include the perspectives of the many individuals impacted by child sexual abuse, including those who have abused children, those who were abused as children, and those who know and love both the person who abused and the child who was harmed.
"Anna's" Story
"Anna" was stunned by the news that her son had abused his step-daughter. She thought nothing good could come from such a tragedy, but this experience taught her a lot. Read more
"Charley's" Story
When "Charley" abused children, he never admitted to himself that he was hurting anyone. But when he got caught, and got help, he began to realize the pain he had caused. Read more
"Mike's" Story
When "Mike" was a child, a family friend sexually abused him. He hopes sharing his story will prevent such abuse, and comfort those who have experienced it. Read more
"Andrew's" Story
“Andrew” finally confessed that he abused children, and got the help he needs to live a better life. Read more
"Maria's" Story
"Maria" was raped by her father when she was a child. She gradually learned how to recover, even without any resolution with her family. Read more
"Ellen's" Story
When “Ellen” was 8, her brother began molesting her. At 28, she hated her brother and blamed him for everything that went wrong in her life. Eventually, she realized that hatred was ruining her life, and she learned how to forgive her brother, and see him as a human being again. Read more
"Evan's" Story
An obsession with adult pornography and the "ultimate high" led "Evan" to cross the line to illegal images of children. Read more
"Shawn's" Story
"Shawn" wished he had known sooner that he had lied to himself for years. He thought he wasn't sexually assaulting children, but being affectionate. Read more
"Brian's" Story
When "Brian" turned himself in, he thought he'd lose everything--his wife, his job, his friends. Instead, he got into programs that helped him. He feels like a new man. Read more
"Carla's" Story
"Carla" is finding that therapy and twelve-step groups have helped her work through the terrible feelings she has about abusing children when she was a teenager. Read more
"Henry's" Story
"Henry" realizes that his "sexual orientation" is to children. He knows that he can never be alone with a child again. Read more
"Neil's" Story
"Neil" wished someone could have held up a crystal ball and showed him he was about to lose the person most precious to him: his daughter. Read more
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