It's so scary to talk about my rape, for the obvious reasons, but also because my abuser was my mom The CPS worker told me the day he met me he didn't believe me. "Moms don't do this kinda thing" I was 13 at the time. At the end of the case my mom had more custody than she started with. No one believed me. Most of my family cut off all contact as soon as the case started. The craziest part, I didn't understand anything. I was so young when it started, I didn't remember it super clearly and it felt pretty normal to me. I hadn't expected anything to come of it when I shared with a friend what had happened. They shared with their parents who contacted my dad. And on it goes.. The case ended the sexual abuse, but caused an extreme amount of physical and emotional abuse. Including threats to my life. I escaped, to university on scholarship at 18. Her only other child escaped as well. Things have been hard.. obviously But we're learning, growing Most importantly we're safe Very soon I will be cutting the final few ties I have to my mother I am marrying the love of my life Building a family, a community Despite her bitter selfish gluttony, I have not only survived, but I have found my value. I have found people that love me and genuinely want to see and hear me. Thank you for creating this space Genuinely - forever grateful 💛