Our first client is a 14-year-old Spanish-speaking child who was so ashamed and frightened that she was mute about her rape by a 69-year-old neighbor. She began to pull out her hair, beat herself and ultimately attempted to poison herself. When she finally was able to verbalize to her parents what had happened, the family relocated to Pima County to protect their child. She is terribly frightened of people and her new surroundings. She is unable to sleep and is startled even at the ring of a telephone. She scans her environment vigilantly. This child did not want a child, but it was too late. Currently, this 14 year old is working with a fluently bi-lingual therapist at Southern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault to bond with her newborn whose presence forces her to relive the unbearable trauma of her sexual assault.
Paula, 16 years of age, was molested by her 35 year old uncle, but her large extended family believes she provoked this molest and refuses to believe the uncle was the perpetrator, despite reports he tried to seduce Paula's 12 year old sister and 12 year old cousin. Unable to leave home or attend school, Paula is terrified her uncle will beat her. Following the incident she was emotionally numb, and anticipated the rejection she received from her family. She could not speak of the incident until it became too late to collect any evidence. Paula did not bond well to her pregnancy because she had always dreamed of falling in love, marrying and having a baby with her husband. She now grieves the loss of her dream as well as her family.
20-year-old Tom is a college student. For the past 6 years his grandmother has videotaped him in the shower. A family member discovered these tapes. His trust in the world has been shattered.
Connie, age 22, was raped by a friend of her roommate's after he picked her up from work. She feared calling police because he spoke of gang retaliation and bragged about killing people. Following the incident, she was suicidal, and ultimately had an abortion. She continues to experience severe depression and nightmares, flashbacks, and estrangement from others. Her grief, horror and hopelessness further escalated when her boyfriend was killed in a car accident. She believes this event was gang related.
35-year-old Catherine and her 7-year old daughter moved back to Tucson from Beverly Hills where her assailant stalked her home. After brutally anally penetrating her at gunpoint, he urinated on her. She suffered severe internal injuries, but through the ordeal Catherine focused on only one thought: "Thank God my daughter is staying with my sister." Catherine was not going to permit her daughter to sleep over, but she had begged and begged. The attacker was caught and Catherine returned to California to testify. She is haunted with repetitive, uncontrollable and unwanted thoughts of "what if…" "What would have happened if I hadn't let my daughter sleep at my sister's?"
Danny, now in his late 40's, was orphaned when his parents were killed in a car crash in Connecticut. His grandmother living in New York City raised him. When he was 9 a priest whom he adored molested him. He never told his grandmother. Toward the end of high school he became a male prostitute, and when he began to think he might be gay, he got married and moved to the Midwest where he went to college and graduate school and became a successful engineer. The couple had four children. When his wife was pregnant with their fifth, she was killed in a car accident. Danny moved to the desert to heal, but his loss triggered previously defended thoughts and feelings about his parents' car accident. He then remembered the loss of his innocence and the betrayal by his adored priest. He is grieving these losses and is confused and guilty about his sexuality.
An older male cousin molested 55-year-old Carlos when he was 9. The cousin was 16. Because he admired his cousin very deeply, and they had a caring and close relationship, Carlos blamed himself. He never felt comfortable in the company of men, and he secretly questioned his own manhood. The death of his cousin's father provoked a panic attack and precipitated his seeking psychotherapy. He wanted to attend the funeral, but he could not face his cousin from whom he had withdrawn since childhood. Struggling, Carlos went to the funeral, spoke with his cousin and was able to feel understanding and compassion.
You may have found these stories difficult to read. They are. This is why the Southern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault exists.
