Growing up, the childhood I thought was “normal” was anything but that. I just was not aware of it until I was in my late 30s, and I tried to escape that life and began the journey to heal. You see, from the early ages of 2-3, my mother began exploiting my body by having me dance on a bar for men. Then she turned it into a game for me to play when the men came into our house, forcing me to do unthinkable things and letting them — as well as herself — use my body for their pleasure. If I did...

I imagine most of you go to the grocery store, out to lunch or even just take a walk around your neighborhood without having to even think about it right? It is part of your everyday routine, and it comes naturally. But what if it wasn’t that easy or safe? I want you for just a second to think: would you be able to do it blindfolded? Would you still find it easy or safe? For some like me who have a history of abuse and trauma just simple tasks like these can be overwhelming and daunting. At...

When was your first sexual experience? Was it kind, gentle and consensual? For so many, including myself, this was not the case. April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. This is a hard month for so many suffering in silence. Reliving the nightmare, the feelings, the emotions of what was taken from us. For me, as someone who has been assaulted numerous times every week for over 39 years, starting with my mother and her satanic obsession with my body, led to her sending a variety of men into...