Survivor Stories

Sad as it is, it helps to know that what happened to you, happened to lots of other people too. This is a place to read their stories. If you have a story to share, you can click here and submit it. Remember that there is no "true" confidentiality on the web-- you may want to omit or change your names for your own protection.We respect your right to privacy and confidentiality. Click to submit your story

Laura's Story

My abuse began in 1961 when I was an 8th grade student at Pierce Junior High School in Redford Township, Michigan. My abuser was my business teacher, the boy's gym teacher & boy's athletic coach. As I prepared to leave junior high school & move on to Thurston High School, my abuser invited me to babysit for his family. That invitation led to a 3-year babysitting experience in Michigan & then another invitation to move with his family to Virginia and become their live-in babysitter, so he could accept a high school principal job there. I became my abuser's "sexual toy" soon after he recruited me to babysit in Michigan & maintained that role for a long time thereafter. At this time, I've decided to share part of my story with the following poem. At a later time, I may decide to share the other details of my story & the impact the abuse has had on my life, so others can gain from my experience...

Loss of Trust

Some have experienced loss,
Through the death of a dear loved one;
An elderly mother or father,
A sister, a daughter or even an infant son.

Others have experienced a different kind of loss,
And claim to have felt very deep pain;
After "losing it all" in the stock market,
Following significant financial gain.

My loss that I shall share,
Is loss of a different form;
One happening far too often,
And quickly becoming a societal norm.

My loss was the loss of trust,
Taken from me at an early age;
By the sexual abuse of a teacher,
Whose advances toward me led to years of hidden rage.

It started when he noticed,
That I looked up to him so very much;
My admiration for him as a teacher & friend,
Was responded to with inappropriate attention & touch.

It began in junior high school,
When I was thirteen & he was thirty-one;
His popularity as a teacher & winning coach,
Had many students & parents quite pleased with what he had done.

But, at the same time he was charming so many,
With his victories on the basketball court & baseball field;
He was taking from me my ability to trust others,
A loss that would forever in my life be sealed.

Although my experience of the loss I have shared,
Has adversely impacted my life;
I've been blessed with a meaningful way,
To reduce the impact of those long years of strife.

For I was given the opportunity,
To work in the field of preventing such abuse;
And know that my efforts kept many a young child,
From ever fearing that such hidden rage would someday let loose.

I'm thankful for having been able,
To redirect that hidden rage toward a positive cause;
I pray daily that I will continue to be used,
To keep kids from the reach of such teacher's harmful claws.