When I was 9 years old, I was molested by a boy who lived in my neighborhood. I told my parents right after it happened. My parents got the boy and parents involved. Asked for my story, then the boys side. The boy’s parents asked for the cops not to get involved. (The boy was only 14, the second oldest of 9 boys). My parents decided to involve the bishop of our ward. With my parents permission (I really had no idea what was going on), I was interviewed by the bishop. The bishop happened to also be our neighbor. The boy was interviewed by the bishop as well. It was decided that I was lying and brushed under the rug. Except my parents believed me. They wrote countless letters to different church leaders but it wasn’t until a year later, that everything changed. 7 girls, (2 being the bishops daughters) came forward claiming that this same boy had done the same to them. All after he had done it to me. This whole experience changed my personality, COMPLETELY. I would no longer go outside, I wore way to many layers of clothing and I shut down when it came to church. My parents saw this and didn’t know what to do. Back then, things like this weren’t talked about and in the little town we lived in, it was such a foreign topic. You couldn’t get on the internet and google things either. So we moved. Moving did a lot for my well being and I was able to forgive and find Christ. My parents did everything they could to help me know my worth and to move on from this experience. This little paragraph doesn’t give you the details but I truly have amazing parents who always did their best to protect and stand with their children. This bishop is a great man and I have forgiven him for his faults. This boy, I still struggle to find forgiveness for, but I will continue to try. I believe this church is true and it has helped me find myself again and again. I love the Savior and all he has suffered for me on my behalf. He is my friend and brother. I am grateful for platforms like this that help protect our children, from experiencing the shame and guilt I went through as well as the confusion. I hope there are policies that get put in place so that no child has to feel like their voice isn’t being heard and no parent feels like their clergyman is going to take advantage/misinterpret/project their own issues on their child.
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