Medusa is infamous for turning people to stone with a glance.  Poseidon, a Greek god, was greatly attracted to Medusa; he proceeded to rape her. Medusa told Athena, another Greek god, hoping to receive help and support. Instead of helping, Athena cursed her.

  At the age of seven, I endured a lot. Nobody had any idea. My grandma’s boyfriend, who was in his early 30s, started living with her. I visited her regularly, even after he moved in. Initially he was all right, and everything was okay.

   One day I excused myself to use the bathroom. He followed me inside. I was on the verge of closing the door when he pushed it. Confusion overwhelmed me . I had no idea what was happening. He started to touch me, but I froze.

   He said, “No one will believe you.”

   My grandma came in the front door calling for him, so he left. 

  He continued to touch me frequently. One particular night, my sister and I spent the night together. She slept soundly, but I couldn’t get any sleep. I heard the door opening, so I closed my eyes. While wishing it was my grandma, I knew it couldn’t be. I faced down. He sat on the bed. His hand was first on my leg and afterward began moving upwards. I wanted to yell; I wanted to move, yet I didn’t do anything.

   I convinced myself that I deserved it, that no one would believe me, and that it was my responsibility.

   It continued until my grandma and he broke up. He stayed in the neighborhood. His car was very noticeable because it had flames on the sides. Seven years later, I was on my bike when I saw his car. When he passed me, he winked at me. I felt everything rushing back.

   Instead of telling my parents or a trusted adult, I told a trusted friend because I was afraid I’d be in trouble.

 I will never forget the day my mom found out. We went to TJ Maxx, but she stayed in the car since she was talking on the phone. I went inside to look around and she called me to go to the car. She seemed upset and I was confused, but she saw the text that I had sent my friend about the guy winking at me and everything else. I kept crying, saying, “I’m sorry.” I kept repeating myself because at the time I thought she was mad at me. “No, no, it’s not you,” she said.

   We arrived at my home, and she told my dad. He looked at me while I was still crying. He proceeded to give me a hug. That was one of the times I saw him cry.

 She called the police, but they just talked to my parents. Then, a few days later, I had to go to the child advocacy center (CAC). My parents were both there, but they had to wait outside while I answered the lady’s questions. After, they gave me a tour because they wanted me to take counseling.

   I didn’t think it was worth it, but I still went. Eventually, I started to get comfortable because it was the same person all the time. Most of the time we would do activities while we talked about what I went through. She would have me write it down in a journal. One time, I told her that I didn’t even remember something that happened before I started writing. She explained to me that there might be some things that I blocked out due to it being a traumatic experience. 

  I went to counseling once a week. Some days were more difficult than others, especially towards the beginning since it was the first time I actually needed to talk about it in detail. 

   My counselor was there for the first time when I got a letter saying that he pleaded not guilty, so I would have to talk to prove he was guilty. The day changed about three times. Every time they tried to prepare me, I was so upset because when it was time for his sentencing he pleaded guilty. April 13, 2023, was the first time seeing him again since he had winked at me. I was able to give a victim impact statement before his sentencing. Afterwards, we left for a conference room, and they told me he would be serving his time at the Saginaw Correctional Facility. They said I would get a letter if he were to move to another prison as well as when he gets out.

   The CAC really helped me for a long time. They helped me cope in healthy ways. Even though my counselor kept telling me it was not my fault, it took me a long time to accept that it wasn’t my fault, although there are still times I think it is. I just need to remind myself I was seven years old. No one deserves to go through that at any age.

   I have come a long way thanks to the CAC but also myself. I have a choice to be a victim or a survivor and for a long time, I was a victim. I am now a survivor and want to share my story because although it took a while I am in a much better place than I could have imagined.

   National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673