WARNING: This piece contains descriptions of sexual abuse.

Growing up, I was a very quiet child; I stayed to myself.

I guess that is why my parents did not notice that something happened

An uncle of mine came to stay with us; it was good to have him around as I never had a big brother

We did a lot of fun stuff together, he was fond of me, and I of him

Everything changed one fateful day; I do not remember much about that day

But I do know what he did was wrong; he came out of the bathroom naked, he showed me his manhood

He said I shouldn’t be shy to look, then he grabbed me and demanded to see my womanhood. we were alone in the house

He then forced himself on me; it was so painful I was only 7 years old. He sexually assaulted me so many times that I lost count. I am a grown woman now

I have still not healed; I spent most of my childhood years hiding my body as much as I could in fear of history repeating itself

I am a mom now, and I fear that my daughter will go through the same thing as me. I need to heal for her sake so that she can enjoy her childhood.

I am not comfortable with her playing around with boys; I trust no male when it comes to her.