Is this the appropriate place to come out?

Question

If you were sexually abused, and religious group covered it up, Is this the place to discuss it?.........Whether it be Catholic...Baptist....Jehovahs Witness...Mormon...or Hindu

it is too late for proper action....I was a child, and now I am an adult...By the time I was able to do anything, too much time had passed....I have though...notified the authoraties...Notified the congregation and tried to sue...the rest is in gods hands...

I worry that this is happening to more people than we can name and i am hoping for enough GRACE in this community to allow someone else to get support if they have gone to churches,,,parents and authorities, to no avail

bigirv...Why not? read on that answer will soon be obvious.

Answer 1

You will find others who have gone through similiar things and maybe they can tell you their approach to the situation and how it worked for them. Being anonymous helps because you can't exactly go and tell ones in the congregation. However, I think the best thing to do is pray to Jehovah he is the only one that can really help you.

Answer 2

I don't think this is the place that I would "come out" as I have seen the hatred, suspicion, and name calling that goes on when someone does. I think this would be a good place to discuss generalities but not "come out" as when you first open up to anyone about it, it should be a trusted friend, counselor, or law authority. After that, then maybe here. If you ran into problems, like no one believing you, no one taking action, legal complication etc, this would be a good place to inform others, or ask if anyone experienced the same in order to give you advice on proceeding with whatever course of action you are trying to accomplish.

just my 2 cents

Answer 3

Dear Lemming Princess,

Yes, it is absolutely appropriate!

I'm sad, very sad, that anybody would have to go through sexual abuse of any kind in the first place but I commend you for sharing what atrocities you have been through in an effort to prevent anyone else from having to endure similar atrocities.

I've been reading your questions and answers along with the answers of others who post links to news articles like Danny Haszard and Suzanne (white hat) and all I can think of is the tears in Jesus' eyes.

A few years ago my mother (a jw) was angrily talking about a cousin of mine who had left the organization. I told Mom about the research my cousin had done into news stories about sexual abuse within the Watchtower. She hadn't set out to find problems but to read all the jw related news BEFORE going back to knocking on doors after a period of mourning. What she saw made her realize that she had to leave and she had to speak out.

Mom was very upset and said that there was only ONE case of sexual abuse EVER and it was reported by a teen age couple that told a STORY to cover up the fact that the girl got pregnant. I already knew as Mom talked that there were thousands of cases but Mom wouldn't listen. She was livid saying that a perfectly "innocent" elders life was destroyed all because of a "hussy"!

I've got to stop for a break because this is just so heart-breaking to ponder.

For His glory,
JOYfilled

Answer 4

Yes, it is a good place to discus what U went through as many here may have also "been there done that" & could provide great Insight for U and Others. John

Answer 5

I mean I think you can open up in this area, but you need to take proper action in real life as well.

Answer 6

Go see a therapist

Answer 7

I think you would get a lot of support and a lot of ideas to help you cope.

Answer 8

I think the police or your family might have a better claim on first knowledge than us.

Answer 9

You need to talk about it somewhere to someone. Here it is anonymous. It might help.

Answer 10

Why not?