***The following blog is written by a local survivor of child sexual abuse. Please be warned the content in this blog could be triggering to some individuals. We strongly encourage you to take care of yourself as you read this blog- taking breaks or stepping away if needed.***
My journey with Tu Casa, Inc. began when I was 8 years old as a volunteer. Throughout the years I volunteered at Gingerbread festival, What is Love Gala, Clothesline project and the Walk A Mile events. When I first met these wonderful staff at Tu Casa, Inc., it was for the Walk A Mile event which is an awareness event where men would march around the park in high heels to bring awareness and to encourage others to take an active role in the fight against sexual abuse. At the Walk A Mile, I had the opportunity to run the bubble station for children and to hand out drinks to those in attendance. Although these were small gestures, I realize that the purpose was to let survivors know that they matter and are not alone.
In all the years volunteering with Tu Casa, Inc., never would I have ever thought that my family and I would need their services. Tu Casa, Inc. and the Children’s Advocacy Center of the San Luis Valley (SLV CAC) have been a staple in mine and my family’s healing process these past few years, after I reported the sexual misconduct of my aunt’s husband who I grew up knowing as an uncle. For me, this by far was the most difficult adversity I had ever had to face. For six months, I struggled to come forward about my trauma and abuse. What I did not know was that I was not the only one in my family having to deal with his abuse. After speaking up, other family members came forward that he had been grooming and sexually abusing them since they were in middle school.
I was very fortunate that my parents believed me when I told them what was going on. I say fortunate because not many survivors have that family support willing to protect those being abused due to the abuser being a family member or someone in the close family circle. My parents proceeded to file charges with law enforcement which began a 2-year nightmare of legal proceedings. It was then that the staff from the SLV CAC became part of our lives. They were here for my family and I through all the proceedings and most importantly at the trial. Our advocates from the SLV CAC were there for my sisters and I in the court room because we were unable to have our parents in the courtroom for support because they had not yet testified. Having our advocates there for support helped give us that extra strength to face our abuser. The outcome of this trial was not what we had hoped. However, Tu Casa, Inc. and the SLV CAC continued their advocacy for my family and I when our case was picked up by the Attorney General’s Office. Our abuser filed to have his name removed off a list to pass background check. In these proceedings he was found on all counts against him which will keep him on the list so that he will be unable to pass background check when looking for employment or working with children.
Hearing the words “I believe you” and the tremendous support from my family and advocates from Tu Casa, Inc. gave me hope. Every step of the way was a little closer toward regaining my power over my abuser. I know now that it took great strength and courage to come forward and to face him at trial. What I have learned is that when you have others who have experienced what you are going through, it helps them to find the strength to come forward and break their chains to seek help. The impact of encouragement, support and compassion can really make a difference to turn someone’s life around. The support a victim receives weighs heavily, if they continue their healing journey as a survivor of their trauma or remain down the path as a victim which can lead to addiction and other negative forms of escape. I am grateful to Tu Casa, Inc. and the SLV CAC staff for being there for my family and I when we needed them most, and for their continued support.
Hearing survivor stories isn't always easy - but it's so important. Far too often, the ideas of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse are thought of as far away concepts - something none of us will ever have to experience firsthand. But the reality is that most of us have a survivor in our close-knit relationships, whether we realize it or not. Hearing personal stories from survivors is a critical part of learning about and advocating for them - we must understand the problem to fight against the problem.
Tu Casa, Inc. and the SLV CAC would like to extend our warmest thanks to Amaya for being brave enough to write this blog and allow Tu Casa, Inc. to share it publicly. It is an incredible thing to turn your experience into the fuel that keeps you fighting for surivors by calling attention to the issue through sharing your story and calling our community to action through prevention. Thank you, Amaya, and Tu Casa, Inc. wishes you the very best as you continue to grow and fight.