Carrie Overcomes Lifetime of Abuse
While still a baby, “Carrie” was sexually abused by a family member. Various men and boys continued the abuse from the age of 2 until she was 16. As she aged, the offenders became “boyfriends.” When she asked her parents for help, they accused her of lying.
In her teens, she finally began to receive counseling to help sort out sexual issues, but when it did not result in instant relief, she stopped going.
She was living on the streets of Omaha when YES Street Outreach workers met her on a regular patrol of downtown. She couldn’t sleep, and was eating poorly. She had tried a number of illegal drugs to numb the pain from long-term sexual abuse and family alienation. For almost a year she lived with friends and acquaintances, and twice stayed with her family for brief periods. She made friends with Street Outreach workers and routinely made late-night phone calls to YES workers because of nightmares or flashbacks of the abuse. These calls lasted for nearly 18 months.
Eventually, Carrie obtained employment and moved into an apartment with a roommate. However, inexperienced in life skills, especially handling money, she accumulated debts. Another piece of bad luck followed--she broke the long bone in her right leg and was unable to work for several months. She lost her job and apartment and moved in with her grandparents. During this time, she also worked on mending the broken relationship with her parents.
After recuperating, Carrie got a good job and found an apartment. She is now working double shifts to pay off her medical bills and to buy a car. She maintains contact with Youth Emergency Services and drops in and calls to report her progress.