Betsy Hodges, the mayor of Minneapolis recently made a public announcement via Facebook that she was sexually abused multiple times, beginning when she was eight. Her abusers threatened her, she says, into not telling anyone - family, friends, adults - for years. Mayor Hodges attributes her juvenile alcoholism to the abuse. Until recently, only her family and closest friends have known that she was abused as a young girl.
Why? Why didn't she tell anyone? She was scared. Terrified. This is rape culture. We can't allow people to be fearful about reaching out and getting help. “Being a survivor has defined so much of who I am,” Hodges wrote on Facebook. “I learned well how to suffer quietly, I learned to meet tragedy with a poker face and a plan, and I learned it was dangerous to share too much about the things I care about most." These are not healthy feelings.
Luckily, Hodges was strong enough to break the cycle and grow and become the woman she is today. When asked why she spoke out on Facebook, she responded, "I am breaking the silence so others can know: you are not alone. I know we can heal from anything, because I have. We can heal, succeed and thrive.”
It really helps! If you have been a victim, or know someone who has been abused, SPEAK OUT!!! We want to help! Contact us and we'll help you. There's no need to be scared. We are fighting to End Sex Abuse. Join the fight.