Child Abuse Story From
Katherine

Katherine is from Canberra, Australia

The following child abuse story from Katherine depicts: sexual abuse and emotional abuse at the hands of her cousin

The child abuse effects on Katherine: shame, fear, inappropriate talk of sex, fear of men

When I was 10 years old I was abused by my 16 year old cousin. Because I was only 10 years old, I didn't know what sexual things were, and he new that. I was always very emotional, as my mum and dad divorced recently before that.

Every time I went over to his house he would take me into the garage and make me give him handy. The first time he told me to do this I said no. He said that something would happen at the end if I did, so being curious, I did. Then he would tell me to play games with him, such as doctor. One game he called 1, 2, 3. In this game, if he said 1, I would have to pull up my t-shirt, 2 was pull down my pants, and 3 was turn around. When he told me to play this game, I said no. He yelled at me and said I would get into trouble. I got worried he would tell my mum, so I did what he said.

I can't really remember how long this went on for, but it went for awhile. I am now 13 years old, and in year 8. I haven't told anyone about this, except for a few close friends. I didn't tell my mum or dad cause I was scared that my cousin might get mad at me. But now I don't want to tell them cause I am ashamed. I still see my cousin, and I don't know if he knows I remember what he did to me.

It has stuffed my life, I talk about sex a lot to my friends when I shouldn't. And I get all weird around 17- up to 45-year-old guys. Every time I see a guy, I think he is going to hurt me.

I want to get over this, but it's hard when I still see my cousin and can't really talk about it with people.