#1083 Name Hidden. CS: 1,2,3,4,6,8 Other: Self harm

I was sexually abused twice as a child by a family member. First, at around 7 years old, and then again at 9 years old. That in itself was a difficult thing to overcome, and I was told by family that it wasn’t my fault, and that I was a victim. My abuser wore garments…

#1082 Name Withheld CS: 1,2,3,7,8

I was 5 years old when I discovered masturbation. I guess I could blame it on my babysitter using shampoo in my bubble bath which lead to a bad yeast infection. But my parents had no idea about it for years until right before my 8th birthday. My dad was my Branch President at the…

#1080 Name Hidden CS: 1,2,3,7,8

Written 11 November 2017 So much anger, So much shame, Looking for someone Someone to blame. I thought for years. I thought it was me. That I was the wrong one. The bad one was me. Carrying the guilt. Carrying all the shame. That who I was Was bad. Was wrong. I was to blame.…

#1077 Name Hidden. CS: 1,2,3,6,8,9

As a child I was taught that it was wrong to touch yourself – but that your husband could touch you after you got married. I remember as a young married woman still feeling shame to even explore my body in a non-sexual nature. But my husband could touch anywhere he wanted. He would frequently…

#1075 Name Hidden. CS: 1,2,4,5,7,8. Other: Thoughts of self harm

I grew up in an LDS family in rural Idaho. I was baptized when I was eight as is the LDS standard. I would say I was fairly sheltered in my upbringing, and I mean this in the worst way possible. I was not really told what I was signing up for when they asked…

#1074 Name Hidden. CS: 1,2,3,5,7,8,9. Other: Substance Abuse, stuck in abusive relationship cycle for years, diagnosed PTSD

I first learned about the LDS church the school year after I was raped at 14 years old. It was a case of coercion, I was told he cared about me and he wouldn’t stop pressuring me until I realized there was nothing I could say to make him stop, I had already said no…

1072 Name Hidden. CS: 1,2,3,4,7,8

I am a former Mormon man in my late 40’s. This is my story about Mormon leadership interview abuse. I was taking a bath when I was very young. I can’t be certain of my age, but I think I was six. I remember I was cleaning my genitals with soap when my Father walked…

#1071 Ross M. CS: 1,2,3,7,8,9

There were many wonderful things about growing up among the devout. Family is valued highly and I enjoyed the privileges of a very stable home life and close relationships with not only my parents and brothers but with my many aunts, uncles, and cousins. There was the comfort of knowing that if I did everything…

#1069 Melissa W. CS: 1,2,3,4,5,7,8,9,10

I was first groomed and raped at age 9 yrs old by my sister’s Sunday School teacher. My family were devout Mormons, and my parents were in marital turmoil with 4 small children. I did not “report” until I was in a facility at age 19 for attempted suicide. My parents then attempted to search…

#1068 Megan W. CS: 1,2,3,4,6,7,8. Other: PTSD Fugue State, Dissociation

I was 16 and had to go in for a temple interview. I carried an immense amount of guilt surrounding abuse I suffered at the hands of an older girl years ago. It subsequently had caused years of shame, guilt, and repetitive masturbation episodes to relieve stress when memories of what was done to me…