Angela was 10 years old when her mother married Herb. Angela's mother started work early in the morning, leaving Herb responsible for waking Angela and getting her ready for school. Herb's idea of "waking her" included sexually molesting her. Angela knew it was wrong, but didn't tell anyone because she feared that she would be taken away from her mother. She endured this sexual abuse for four long years from someone she should have been able to trust. One morning, when Angela was 14, Herb escalated the level of sexual abuse and Angela knew she had to tell someone, no matter the consequences. Upon reporting the abuse to a school counselor, she was immediately taken to the Childhelp Children's Center of Arizona. At the Center she was interviewed by law enforcement, child protective services, medical health and mental health professionals and began to receive the help and treatment she needed. With the authorities support and guidance, Angela's mother was able to help secure a taped confession from Herb and he was prosecuted, receiving the maximum 25 years in jail. Angela is now a beautiful 24 year old woman, has attended college and wants to one day become a physical therapist. She considers herself a survivor and not a victim and is so thankful for the services she received through Childhelp.
|
|
|
|
