My name is Karaline, and I am a survivor of sexual abuse.
Prior to the night of May 21, 2014, I was looking forward to the new things that awaited in my life. I was a 10 year old little girl who had so much fun hanging out with friends and making memories. I was looking forward to soccer try outs at a new club, and so excited to start middle school. Life as I knew it was fun with no troubled thoughts, just like it should be for any 10 year old girl.
On the night of May 21, 2014 my life truly did change forever. You wouldn't think that one person could cause another so much pain and suffering. But, for the last 10 years, that pain and suffering has been my reality.
As I watched someone that I knew, that I loved, and that I trusted molest me, I had no idea what was happening. I had no idea what my life was now going to look like. Running to get help that night was one of the best decisions I've ever made.
The next day I was taken to child help to be questioned, interviewed, and swabbed of everywhere that I was taken advantage of. All happening while my classmates were at school practicing for our 5th grade promotion taking place that night. It was then that I became familiar with my life looking a lot different than my friends.
I did the right thing by speaking up and telling the truth. But, it took almost two years for my abuser to be arrested. On August 25, 2016 he was arrested trying to flee the country. He was arrested on six counts of aggravated assault on a minor, one count of sexual abuse, one count of sexual conduct with a minor and four counts of child molestation.
He was then brought back to Arizona and released from jail. This was just the beginning of many let downs. I was so confused why he wasn't being held responsible for what he did to me. It felt like I was doing everything that a victim should by speaking the truth and providing DNA evidence.
During my sophomore year of high school, after waiting over four years, trial was finally here. I had watched tv shows and movies, but nothing could have ever prepared me for what I was going to go through.
On October 3, 2018 I took the stand. I testified in front of my abuser and had to relive everything that he did to me. This was the hardest experience I've ever had to go through.
On November 30, 2018 he was found guilty and sentenced to 13 years in prison. I finally felt peace knowing he was being held responsible for what he did to me.
After serving a year and a half of his 13 year sentence, he was released on an appeal. My life, once again. was consumed by what he did to me. The thought alone of another trial was so mentally draining.
After many difficult conversations, we decided that offering a plea deal was best for me.
In January of 2022, I heard the word "guilty" once again. Although he did not plead guilty to all counts, I know that he knows what he did. And I can not continue to keep living my life in a nightmare that never seemed to end.
On April 5, 2022 I gave my final victim statement. It was then that I became a survivor. So today I am sharing my story.
There were so many times that I wanted to give up and I didn't know if life was worth living after everything I'd been through. But, here I am, speaking out to help others and to make a difference.
I want to use 50fifty as the platform to share my story with a goal of uniting survivors and bringing light to such a significant issue. I want to make a difference and help others realize they are not alone.
With love,
Karaline
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