At work, new job a little stressed. Not because it’s a new job or I’m here. Because of childhood trauma that happened and I never reported and it finally got reported few days ago and investigation is started. If you are victim of rape or molestation, I’m sure you get the anxiety and the stress that comes along with it.
When I was 14 my sister got temp custody of me along with her husband. While she was at work my brother n law would molest me. He tried to go further but never did because I would ouch it hurts and because we lived an apartment building he stopped because he didn’t want anyone to hear. During that time he had sex with my cousin who was 14 at the time and at that time he was in his mid 20’s.
I was a troubled kid, so when it happened I never told anyone he did anything because I thought I would get in trouble as I was getting in trouble for everything. But I had told my mom and sister that he and my cousin did have sex because I caught them.
Well 12 years later I have had a lot of issues especially since that happened. I went got myself a counseling they had no choice to report it based off where I go and they gave me the option to do it with me there so I reluctantly agreed and we called the cops in the county I’m in and they dismissed it and said that I have to call the county it happened in to report and because they was getting ready to close I left and came back the next day…
I came back I waited till they was done to get me and we went to the site supervisor office and we called the county it happened at and I gave them details. Such as names of my brother n law and my cousin and my sister name, the address it happened at, where cps had me living prior which was a youth home etc. how I wrote about the incident in a journal and my sister saw it and yelled at me as if I was going to get in trouble if I admit to it so lied said it wasn’t true even though it was.
I have a lot of relief now I was able to report but so much stress and anxiety along with it, if not knowing if a detective will take the case or not.
Childhood trauma, especially involving molestation or sexual abuse, can have profound and long-lasting effects on mental health and well-being. Victims often experience anxiety, stress, depression, and difficulties in relationships that may persist into adulthood. Reporting such trauma years after the event presents additional challenges, including legal hurdles, emotional distress, and uncertainty about investigative outcomes. Counseling and professional mental health support play a critical role in healing from childhood sexual abuse. Therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and trauma-focused interventions can help survivors process their experiences, manage anxiety, and rebuild trust. Often, counselors have mandated reporting obligations, which can lead to official investigations even when the survivor is hesitant. The legal process can be complex, especially when incidents occurred in different jurisdictions, as seen when authorities refer the report to the county where the abuse happened. This can cause delays and additional stress for victims seeking justice. Support from trusted individuals and advocacy groups can provide crucial guidance and emotional reinforcement during this difficult time. It’s important to acknowledge the bravery involved in coming forward to report abuse after many years. Survivors may face disbelief, blame, or family conflicts, which compounds their emotional burden. Creating public awareness about the prevalence of childhood sexual abuse and encouraging a supportive response helps reduce stigma and encourages more victims to seek help. Ultimately, recovery from childhood trauma is a journey with ups and downs. Accessing counseling, legal support, and peer networks can empower survivors to reclaim their lives. If you or someone you know is a victim of molestation or rape, reaching out to professional services and hotlines can be the first step toward healing and justice.