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My Story: Sarena J

Content Note: This story discusses childhood sexual abuse, trauma, depression, PTSD, and suicidal thoughts. Please take care of yourself while reading.

STORIES OF HOPE

9/2/20261 min read

Hi, I’m Sarena Judy, one of the founding members of the Leaf N Hope Foundation.

I want to share something personal that I haven’t talked about often. Holding onto it has eaten away at me for nearly 40 years. I’m sharing my story because I want others to know that they are not alone and that it’s okay to feel the way you do. What I’ve learned is that holding everything inside can hurt you even more and learning to let it out is something I’m still practicing myself.

When I was a child, I was sexually abused by a family friend from the time I was in elementary school through high school.

I still live with PTSD from what happened. For a long time, I was angry at myself for not speaking up. But children can be manipulated into believing things that simply aren’t true. I know now that what happened to me was not my fault.

The person who abused me eventually moved away and became a teacher. I can only hope that he never hurt another child.

The trauma I experienced has affected me throughout my life and contributed to my struggles with depression and suicidal thoughts. I have been in therapy for 20 years, and even after all that time, the trauma can still creep back into my life.

But I’m still here.

If any part of my story sounds like yours, I want you to know that you are not alone. What happened to you does not make you less deserving of love, support, or a future.

You are safe. You are loved. And you deserve to be heard.

— Sarena Judy