Wesley came to SCSA about two months ago. Childhood sexual abuse victims usually don't come forward and start to heal until their late 40s or early 50s. Wesley represents the exception, and more and more of our younger generations are now coming forward, and won't have to live a full life of suffering. We at SCSA are extremely proud of Wesley.

'm 29 years old, successful in my work. By most appearances I looked happy with my life, but I always felt alone. I was sexually abused when I was around 5 or 6 years old by a boy that was several years older than me. It happened multiple times, and I don't remember when it began or ended, I just remember it happening at least three times. I always felt ashamed of it, that it was my fault, that I could have said no if I wanted to, that I even liked parts of it.

I carried that guilt and shame with me, and isolated myself from everyone by internalizing my thoughts. I didn't reach out for help, and I didn't even realize that I didn't trust anyone else to help me. I struggled to connect with other kids as I grew up, and had difficulty forming and maintaining relationships into adolescence and into adulthood. It wasn't until my wife helped me realize the damage that had been done to me as a little boy, of how it had impacted my life and relationships as much as it had. I was finally able to stand up for myself, and I found that I had more strength within me than I'd ever known. Survivors have no reason to hide from the world, but those who hurt us do.

The first step was reaching out to other survivors and sharing my story.

Wesley Phillips
SCSA Member
Dallas, Texas