Child Abuse Story From
KerryAnn

KerryAnn is from Sanford, Maine, USA

The following child abuse story from KerryAnn depicts physical child abuse, emotional child abuse and sexual abuse at the hands of her uncle.

The child abuse effects on KerryAnn: low self-esteem, persistent nightmares, and as a young child, KerryAnn believed that what happened to her was her fault

My uncle was my favorite person in the world. We did a lot together with his two other nieces, however, he always told me I was his favorite. He married my mother's sister shortly after my nana died, and the verbal abuse started. My aunt was an alcoholic and was barely home. I believe he took his anger out on me. He'd beat me, throw me down stairs, knock me into doors and he sexually abused me once.

When I was six, one of his favorite things to do was to have me stand in front of a mirror, naked and tell my reflection that I was worthless. If I declined, he would smash my face into the mirror, letting my tears streak the glass.

Another time, he forced me to eat out of the dog's dish. I was humiliated and disgusted as he made my mouth move, eating the small quantity of food.

One day when I was nine, my dad came to pick me up early and found my uncle strangling me with his bare hands. After that, I was to a child psychiatrist. The only way I could testify in trial, was over a voice recorder, because I was terrified to see him in court. He was put away for a year and a half for robbing me of my justice and my innocence. I haven't seen him since.

I'm eighteen now, and I still feel the pain. I have horrible dreams a lot of the time that revolve around him, but I am getting better.

There is always hope, but you have to find the strength inside of yourself to get out of the situation. I kept a lot of what happened to myself and believed it was all my fault. Always remember, you are the victim. It will never be your fault.