Don't Sit On The Sidelines
After my years of child abuse and the feelings that came with that mistreatment, I felt I needed to tell what happened to me as a child, in hopes of helping other children.
I also needed to let adult survivors know they are not alone; there are others who also suffered at the hands of mean and cruel people, and there are people who understand what they feel, and those feelings are okay.
I wanted to inform others to not sit on the sidelines and wait for someone else to speak up. If you see or even suspect a child is being abused, don't wait on someone else to get involved, because someone else might also be waiting for others to make that move.
During this time of sitting on the sidelines, the child is still suffering, as well as being in danger of serious bodily injury or even death.
Bitter Memories is the book about my years after being kidnapped by my own father, then abused by my father. Except, he also allowed others to abuse me. My life was a living hell!
My story is not a cozy feel-good love story. I did not "sugarcoat" my abuse or try to make it sound better than it was. My childhood was what it was, but the adult me is no longer a victim. I am a survivor! I survived some of the worst child abuse imaginable, but I was always a fighter.
From the very beginning my message was intended to help other survivors heal their pain of abuse, and to help children who are still suffering by encouraging others to be more aware and to get involved.
With the help of people just like YOU, we can make a difference in the lives of so many children who still live with daily abuse, usually from someone who claims to love them. These children are innocent! They are victims of despicable men and women!
YOU can also make a difference in the lives of adult survivors who live daily with shame and scars of abuse that was not their fault. These adults who were abused as children were also innocent! They were victims, many who still go through the motions of daily living, trying to deal with their feelings. Feelings that hurt deeply.
My story isn't so different from any other person who suffered abuse. The feelings are still the same. I feared I would be shunned by some if I told my story. I feared some would even take my childhood and throw it in my face.
But my fears, and knowing that "some" people would confirm my fears, never outweighed the need to help others. I have never regretted telling my story, because for the few who ridicule me today, there are hundreds who were, and still are, being helped because they read what my life was like, and they now know they too ARE a survivor!
If you are or were abused, read my books. If you know someone who is or was abused, tell them about me and my story. If you are one of those who shun and ridicule, just remember, you are the lucky ones. Remember that your words can hurt, just as deeply as the abuse suffered.
Only another survivor can understand our stories. But only a kind and compassionate person will care to try and understand.
To learn my full story, you can find all my books on my website.
http://sj2448.wix.com/suejulsen
My Facebook author/fan pages. Don't forget to click "like" while you're there:
https://www.facebook.com/sue.julsen2
https://www.facebook.com/BitterMemori...
https://www.facebook.com/TMTrilogyBook2
https://www.facebook.com/CuttersRevenge
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Nice blog, Sue. You are a survivor, and you're making strides with your writing and your living ... congratulations for inspiring others and overcoming the cruelty you suffered. It does help others. :-)
Thank you Eric. I really appreciate your kind words. Together we will change the world, and put an end to child abuse!
Yes and if people would support and encourage those who have been abused to come forward or to heal, then those victims wouldn't be so scared to speak up. It's crazy but it's not just the threats of the person causing the abuse, it's also those who point the finger and call victims liars. Those people are just as sick as the person causing the pain. Rant over!
Excellent rant Tyra. You are so right. Society dictates what they think the abused should feel, condemning the ones who do speak up. Thank you!
I agree with Tyra. It is not just the abuser who does the damage. People refuse to believe that this can happen. Denial is a large and powerful weapon. Most often the pedophile knows how people will or won't react. The victim is constantly warned by the abuser not to tell because people will not believe you and they will blame you. It is sad to say that this is often true. Please stop blaming the victim and help start putting these predators where they belong. By being in denial you have given them power and taken the power from the victim. We are not only victims to a predator but we are then made victims by most of the people who should be standing with us and helping us. Sue thank you for bringing this out to where people must look at it. With your help maybe we can help future victims of child abuse. Maybe the victims can stop living in the darkest closet and just maybe laws will change and predators will actually stay where they belong - Behind bars for life.
Very well stated, ML. Thank you! I will always fight for children being abused, and giving hope to adult survivors, helping them find their way toward healing, until child abuse no longer exists.
I have read your book. I wanted to personally hunt down each and every one of the people who abused you, and help them into the next life. It shall never cease to amaze me, that adults who KNOW another adult is abusing a child, will turn blind eyes and deaf ears to the abuse. Do they not realize, that they are aiding and abetting a criminal? I simply do not "get it", and I never shall. I also cannot comprehend adults who join other adults, abusing a child. My children were spanked, when they needed it, but never abused. If I had an inkling of any of them enduring sexual abuse from ANYBODY, I shudder to think what I would have done.
Every time that I read about another adult who has sexually abused a child, I want to see them eliminated. In my experience, they do not get rehabilitated - they simply serve their time - IF they are even sentenced to serve time. Once they are released into society, it seems they can hardly wait, to prey again.
How horribly sad, that those who abused you, were not caught. Only the Judge of All can give them their proper "reward".
Thanks for your comment Search-for-truth. I do not "get it" either. There are bad people in this world. I just hope my book, and others like mine, will open the eyes of society, letting them know just how important it is to the innocent child for them to become involved.
