Sexual Abuse (24 found)
Note: These stories are from Represent and its sister publication, YCteen, which is written by New York City public high school students.
V.N. reviews the controversial movie Precious and, as a young person in foster care, she vouches for its true-to-life depiction of a seriously dysfunctional family. However, she finds it too hopeless. (full text)
At age 15, Alesha is seduced and then abused by a predator in his 30s. She details how he manipulated her, then how she got free and repaired her damaged self-worth. (full text)
The writer is prostituted by her parents, runs away, and then goes into care. Her father begs for forgiveness, and she decides that forgiving him will bring her some peace. (full text)
Lavell summons the courage to stand up to her abusers and later shares her experiences with a supportive therapist so she can begin healing. (full text)
After having suicidal thoughts and cutting herself, V.N. is committed to a psychiatric hospital, but she doesn't think she's crazy. Harming herself seems to help her escape the trauma of sexual abuse. (full text)
For years, V.N. is sexually and physically abused by her father. She goes into foster care, grapples with cutting and suicide attempts, and finds some relief from talk therapy and antidepressants. (full text)
As a child, Natasha escaped into an imaginary world to deal with pain. Now she wonders if the habit has outworn its usefulness. (full text)
Aquellah works hard in therapy to release her inner child—the feelings and longings she was never allowed to express. (full text)
Natasha interviews a therapist to explain how therapy works and why it’s important for kids who’ve suffered trauma. (full text)
Because of an abusive past, the writer dissociates from reality and cuts herself. Yet she has the tiniest bit of hope that all is not lost. (full text)
To deal with her abusive past, Christine mentally dissociates and begins to cut herself. Letting out her feelings helps her stay present.
(full text)
(full text)
A therapist explains why people cut themselves and how they may be able to stop. (full text)
At a youth shelter, the author gets connected with a good therapist who helps him release his anger over the abuse he suffered as a child. (full text)
With the help of staff, Tray finds less destructive ways to deal with his emotions. (full text)
The author loses her close relationship with her grandmother when she speaks up about the abuse that’s happening in their home. (full text)
The writer goes to family court numerous times for hearings on her sexual abuse case, but is never allowed to speak in court. (full text)
Years later, the male author still feels deeply ashamed about being raped at age 8. (full text)
After telling a counselor that she’s being abused, the writer is removed from her home and gets the help she needs to recover. (full text)
Psychologist Patti Feurereisen talks to Mimi about how to recover from the trauma of rape. (full text)
Angela goes into care after being molested by her father. She's relieved to find a group home that provides her with the structure and safety she never got at home. (full text)
Melvin Pichardo profiles Victoria Pannell, a New York City high school teenager, who advocates for survivors of child sex trafficking. (full text)
After being sexually abused throughout her life by numerous men in her family, the writer meets other young women and learns that her experience is common in her South Asian culture. (full text)
When the writer was 12, her sister was molested by her uncle in the next bedroom. Life for them both has never been the same. (full text)
This writer’s first sexual encounter with a boy is nothing like the romantic experience she envisioned. When he doesn't listen to her refusal, she kicks him out. (full text)