PSA
Okay this is a serious post. I don’t want pity. It’s kind of part of my story. To help you understand me better. You may wonder why I have trust issues with people? Well, I was 2nd degree sexually assaulted when I was 14 by a youth pastor that was there for over 23 years. The church didn’t have cameras. Well, he called me a liar in recorded phone call at police station. Police told me I couldn’t say nothing to no one because of whatever reasons. I couldn’t defend myself at school or online. Adults online called me really bad bad bad names. Blamed it on me. Defended his name even after having the proof he did what he did. All these people called me a “slut” or I must have liked it. They finally put cameras up in the church AFTER I got molested. I mean I helped them do something good but it shouldn’t of happened regardless cameras or no cameras. Point is mainly with what I been through I won’t go into a church that doesn’t have cameras. Yes I may forgive that pastor, yes I don’t assume everyone is like that. But I WON’T continue to go into a church that doesn’t have cameras unless I can get them to change their mind to put cameras up! Because I don’t care if the pastor was there 10 years, 20 years, or 50! Or with any man not just pastor. You can’t fully trust it. Cameras should be in every church and every place. Maybe the sexual assaults in churches will decrease in numbers. I’m not shaming churches. But with what I been through. It shouldn’t of ever happened and cameras should of been placed. I don’t care that they trusted this man. That man was a pastor for over 20 years! I can see where they would trust him but you can’t just assume it will never happen! He claimed to be a man of God. Look. I just want churches to improve I want the best for people and to be motivational to others with stories like mine. I want to make the world a better place. And I want this to help others who go to church to be safe. Not to stereotype church but I believe cameras should be everywhere! With churches and other places that don’t have to be church. Cause it could happen in a car dealer shop. I don’t know just businesses. Everywhere. Just things need to change and I want people to know you aren’t alone. You can get through anything in your lives. Just got to have the right support system. I love you guys and I’m just wanting a safe world. Safe places. For men and women. ❤️
