I was SA’d as a little kid, at least the parts that i remember and the evidence me and my sibling have against the man. all that i remember is him crawling into bed with me and his hands going around my waist. I remember the fear, anxiety, etc from that one memory. Then my mom walked into the room and told him that’s enough, it’s time to go to bed. I’ve never felt more alone after realizing it wasn’t a stupid dream that i had. The man was a heavy alcoholic and now he’s not, so he’s not the same person but being close to him makes me feel sick. I feel like i’m a bad person for forgiving him but not being comfortable around him.

My parents split up in August of 2018. I was so mad at him for everything he did to me and my family, including my mom. He chose hard drugs, and to cheat on my mom with her childhood bestfriend. I texted him once in a while, because I was 15 and I wanted to make sure my dad knew I didn’t hate him. Then I cut off contact with him after seeing him again in December and hugging him for the last time. I was never able to see him. In March 2021, (my room was right beside the front door) I took a nap at 6pm and woke up at 8pm, to the front door being opened and my mom talking at the door, my grandma was crying and my siblings were upstairs. I was so confused and my grandma comforted me while crying, I asked her if my dad was dead. She said “yes my girl.. he killed himself..” I was in shock at first and I let out the most blood curdling cry. I regret not talking to him. I believe that it’s my fault he’s dead, because I didn’t talk to him. I have the last message he sent to me, and I read it almost every day. I wish I could have done something to save him. Maybe I could have stopped him.

• August 5, 2023