A Human Rights Activist, Juanita Headley, has shared her story of having been sexually abused by her stepfather at the early age of four to ten years.
The New York Attorney, Founder and CEO of Changing Cases says her first encounter was a tickle from her stepfather in her private part. She made this known on GTV’s Breakfast Show, which discussed human trafficking and exploitation on Thursday, February 2.
“Growing up, my mother told me not to let anyone touch me sexually, when it happened, I told her but didn’t tell her the subsequent ones,” she narrated.
The Human Rights Attorney said once a person is abused, she becomes vulnerable and easily gives in to the wishes of other people, and they are easily trafficked. She mentioned that human trafficking is not always about moving a person from one country to another; one can also be a trafficking victim in their own home when they are controlled and abused sexually against their will (Domestic trafficking).
Madam Headley said the first step to helping people speak out about what they are going through is to promise them that their secret is safe with them.
“When somebody asks you, can you keep a secret, say yes immediately and then when they open up to you, you tell them I have to break your trust and phone the Police. Do not just run off and phone the Police, it can cause trust issues and the child can deny it,” she added.
She urged people not to resolve the issues through family meetings because, during family meetings, the issue is likely to be swept under the carpet. She encouraged parents to always be on guard and look out for their children, and to always allow the Police to do their work according to the law and not use family to resolve such cases.
