20/06/2026
If you are experiencing abuse, remember that you are not alone. Do not be afraid to seek help and speak to someone you trust. Sexual abuse is never the victimโs fault. The shame belongs to the abuser, not the survivor. Let us create a community where victims are heard, supported, and protected.
I was sexually abused by my father, my brother, a preacher at church, and at age 13, my mother made me marry a 43 year old man.
My story involves so many people and experiences. My mother was instrumental in putting me in rooms alone, with several men, at separate times. When I was 13, my mother gave my husband permission to have his way with me and my baby sister, who also had a child by him. I am 77 years old now, and I have written my story in poetry form: โSURVIVING the INSANITYโ by Naomi R. Butler Arthur. "I am 24 hours old. The world is new, bright and safe. While I lie here, cradled in my motherโs arms. While we rest in this old brass bed, while this worn quilt keeps us warm. I know I am safe in my motherโs arms. I am 3 now, and the world I once thought safe, is cold, cruel and ugly. My mind and my body are wracked with pain, but I feel no pain. I find solace and serenity in another world, outside this room, on the other side of the window that I stare through. I think of happier times. Now, I am 5. I feel nothing. I do not belong. Who am I? Why am I different? I can write my name, arenโt I smart? 7 whole years of my life, have come and gone. I try hard to do what is right, โcause I will be punished if it is wrong. I am 9. I have a friend across the lot! Sheโs much older than I. She is married and has a child, but I donโt think sheโs much happier than I. I make her laugh. Itโs good to be liked. 12, Iโm growing up! Same old stories though. The men all like me, and say I am beautiful. They want to take me to their bed. Why do all the guys like me? I am so young. A new man has come into our lives, heโs 43. Heโs my motherโs friend. He is arrogant and cold, and, I donโt like him. He says he is a man of God but, itโs me that he wants.
He likes my long red hair, and my youth. I am only 13. His hand goes down my shirt, as I lie taking a nap. Where is Mom? Why doesnโt she stop him? Fear is not new to me but, this is different. I think this is terror. I want to run but no place to hide, no friends to help me. I feel trapped, like a bird in a cage. Iโve locked myself in the bathroom - a barricade against the world. Leave me alone, please, just leave me alone. But this is what my mom wants, I have no choice. I must marry him, she knows whatโs best. Lies. Deceit. Secrecy. Court house. Marriage license. Iโm with child. My brother hates me, he wanted me first. Others were before him and after, but this is forever. โLove. Honor. Obey.โ โWhat God has joined, let no man put asunder.โ โFor better, for worse, till death we do part.โ I am 28 now. I could have died. He wanted to kill me, he tried to kill me. 60 days behind bars he went, I have 60 days to free myself. Ah! At last, the state has granted my freedom. Where has the time gone? It must have been a bad dream. Canโt be! Because I see 5 sets of beautiful eyes, looking back at me. Theyโre all counting on me to get them through this hell. I must not fail them. Theyโve been through enough. I must succeed. I must live for them. 22 more years have come and gone. I have known pain and fear, despair and hopelessness, anger and tears. But the emotion that overwhelms me most, is the blessedness I feel. Because I overcame it all, and live a new day, every day. I have survived to tell the story of love, hope, joy and strength, in this new world in which I now live. Iโm no longer cradled in my motherโs arms, in that old brass bed, under that worn, old quilt that kept us warm. But no one can hurt me now, because I have survived the worst of it all!โ
You can help a child protect themselves from abusers, by gifting them a FREE Tell Somebody book! ๐ gofundme.com/GiveAFreeBook
Child abusers, please stop and seek therapy and God.
Parents, talk with and believe your children. โค๏ธ
Survivors, seek therapy. ๐ช๐ฝ
(To share your story of abuse, message me)
www.TellSomebodyToday.com
