I was sexually abused as a little boy, about 6 years old, while living outside my home country (the US).
My abuser was about 12 years old, and was my neighbor. He was also Mormon.
I was born to Mormon parents and was taught the doctrines of the LDS church.
I felt deep, intense shame about the abuse leading up to my baptism into the Mormon church at age 8.
I wondered if God could forgive me for “allowing” myself to participate in such an evil thing.
I didn’t know at the time that I was completely blameless.
I never told a soul for about 30 years what had happened to me. I never thought it would do any good.
The abuse has affected me every day of my life since then. It’s made it harder for me to have healthy sexual relationships, to feel confident in myself, and to believe that I’m worthy or deserving of love and affection.
Here I am now, shining my little light, hoping you’ll read this and know that you’re not alone.