The Backseat Driver A Journey Of Sexual Abuse - 944 Words

TABLE OF CONTENTS Title Page—The Backseat Driver: A Journey of Sexual Abuse 1 Dedication* 3 An Address 4 Expository Essay 5 Backseat Driver 6 â€Å"Molest†* 7 Age 7 8 Teeth* 9 Old Friend 10 Traffic Guards* 11 Flashbacks* 12 Age 14 13 Letter to a Shadow* 14 Signature 15 Angeline 16 I’m fine* 17 Candle 18 Emancipation* 19 Changing the Story 20 Age 16 21 Running 22 Reflection 24 Notes 25 Bibliography 26 to my Angeline whom I will always believe is an angel sent to any others trapped in binds of your own minds do not fear freedom to the self-abused your glowing future deserves all you can offer and lastly my backseat driver I’ve enjoyed your company and bittersweet strength My Dear, Dear Reader, The day of my birth I was†¦show more content†¦I dare not let it escape. After so many years of playing tug of war with my past I grew fatigued. I didn’t have the energy to continue fighting it or to address it, so I just stayed idle. I was depressed and unresolved in my identity, so I allowed other to choose who I was. This resulted in a series of abusive relationships. In December of 2014 I met a woman named Angeline whose power of influence I will never understand. The same day I met her we had one conversation, and with her in the back of my mind I told my family of my abuse. After revealing myself to my parents and siblings I was able to see myself, truly—under all the remaining corroded layers of repression—for the first time. Since then I’ve conquered anxiety, depression, self-harm (physical and psychological), abusive relationships, and insecurity. I wrote this paper not only for shrouded sexual abuse victims, that they may free themselves, but also for anyone whose fear or insecurity has plagued every crevice of their life and who longs to be free. You have the power to free yourself, but it requires you to step out of your comfort zone. Before you can truly appreciate freedom you must truly appreciate yourself, which you cannot do without having to prioritize—especially when it is detrimental to your emotional or physical health—your needs over your wants, comforts and traditions. I am more than proud to say that the weight of sexual abuse has not been