San Diego Sexual Abuse Victim Speaks Out

Just recently this month, a news article reported that a group of Jehovah’s Witness members allegedly allowed a former church leader, who is a convicted pedophile, to cross-examine two of his victims at a public meeting. The man was reported to be jailed for nine months, but after his release from prison he was apparently permitted in his former congregation, where he questioned his two victims along with another woman after they sought to have him barred from the church. (If you have any concerns about a Jehovah’s Witness Sexual Abuse Case please follow this link.)

Whether or not the news is true, the fact remains that sexual abuse is rampant, and it’s not just strangers or unlawful people who succumb to it: even those whom we thought we can trust can do it to us.

Over the years, there have been lots of sexual abuse cases, not only Jehovah’s Witness sexual abuse cases or those in other religious sectors; it happens to so many people around the globe, even those whom you know may even be abused. Victims of these cases usually keep quiet and do not report their situation. They feel as if their voices will not be heard, or that people will just blame them for what happened to them. They feel that they may have a stigma in the society if they report what happened to them, and so they keep mum about the incident/s.

Impact of Sexual Abuse

The repercussions on the victims of sexual abuse or sexual assault are so great, that they even develop behavioral problems even decades after the incident happened. The trauma that the abuse has given them will take years before it goes away; most of the time, the trauma will be carried until they grow old.

Aside from that, victims feel as if they cannot trust anyone anymore. One of the most basic or fundamental damage victims experience from sexual abuse is the subversion of their trust in people whom they thought to be protectors or nurturers. They feel angry and betrayed of what happened to them, especially if the perpetrator is someone close to them.

Victims may also feel powerless. The trauma of powerlessness may include a perception of vulnerability and victimization, along with a yearning to control. They may express behavioral manifestations such as aggression and oppression of others. It may also take the other way; they may show avoidant responses such as separation and running away.

As stated earlier, victims also feel the stigmatization of the society on them. It is common for them to adapt the �damaged goods syndrome,’ which is the feelings of guilt and responsibility for the sexual abuse or simply for the consequences of their disclosure. They may develop self-destructive behaviors such as substance abuse, self-mutilation, suicidal gestures or intent and risk-taking acts.

A Savior in the Dark

Shocking as it may seem that even people who are prominent within the Jehovah’s Witness organization have succumbed to this wrongful practice, it does happen, and it may probably happen in the future still. It is important for us to understand the whole happening, and report what we know to the authorities. We can help victims recover from the incident, and help them become the best they can be.