My name is Tiasha and I'm here to tell others my story! I was sexually abused by my mother's ex-boyfriend! I use to be scared to say anything about the rape, but I knew it was best for me to start talking about it! Although I'm scared to like be around any male alone I've decided to let the world know my story!

Sexual Abuse Victim

© Tiasha Anderson

Tears are always running down my face
I hang my head low thinking "what a disgrace?"
The tears are coming from all the damage you caused
What do you want now, a round of applause?

I've watched you rape and molest me right before my eyes
Now the only...

I see the first morning sun, as it wakens the day
As it peeks from the east, I really can’t say
Just how I will feel, as it moves east to west
To the last ray of light, putting the day down to rest


Many thoughts will fill my mind, as I watch the sun move
Will I stay grounded today, will I find that right grove
My composure my selfness will I be able to maintain
The thoughts and the visions will I be able to contain


With the sun moving west, and time moving too
I watch ever so peaceful with the sky made of blue
A relaxing vision to see all played out
As the sun and moon dance and move all about


With my...

What is Sexual Abuse?


Sexual abuse is when someone with less power is tricked, trapped, coerced, or bribed into any type of sexual experience. Power imbalance may result from the perpetrator’s age, size, position, experience, or authority and includes kissing, fondling, being forced to touch the abuser’s genitals, anal, oral or vaginal sex, and non-contact acts such as exhibitionism, exposure to pornography, voyeurism or sexual comments or looks.

If, as a child, you experienced anything that felt sexual or yucky with someone who had more power than you, you were abused.

It was abuse:
■Even...

This is a poem about how I was sold for money by my own mom. I'm ten years old and finally ran away and got help. I let it go three years. And now I'm in foster care.

Truth

© Kari

Shut your mouth and listen to what I have to say,
I'm going to take you back to that one specific day.
I was laying in bed alone while listening to you and him talk on the phone.
You said, "Well if they have the money I don't see why not,
She'll be ready by 9 o'clock"
You came in and said it's time to get up,
Shower well and I'll make you pretty with make up.
In a pretty white dress and hair done to match,
You told me I'm...

"Rape's not something where you just go, "Well, get over it" or "Believe in love and peace, my child, and it'll all be over." Well, fuck you, that isn't the answer. It's a great thought, OK, but you can go and stick crystals up your butt and get on with it. I'm all for love and peace, but that's not the side I work on. If somebody would talk about it, or worse, joke about it, I would be ready to kill. That's not healing. It was a very long time after that before I was able to be with anyone again. And it has never been the same as it was before"


"Something comes up like bubbles to the surface,...