Pregnant from a sexual assault on campus, I felt numb and unaware of the present moment throughout the whole process. I felt like I did not have enough time to process all the emotions of the traumatic events and was numb to thinking how I really felt.
It affected me by experiencing, for the first time anxiety, panic attacks, depression, and feelings of worthlessness. The long term impact it’s had is flashbacks as the dates of events pass by, nightmares, relationship problems, and fluctuations in weight.
My healing and forgiveness happened in April 2018 exactly five years after the traumatic events, thanks to the Church. I finally stepped back into Church, and it gave me peace and happiness—something I hadn’t felt in a long time. And that’s why I am silent no more! After years of pain I was able to receive God’s forgiveness and forgive myself. I finally feel free from the shame and that’s why I am silent no more!