I was sexually abused by my step dad - Attorney Juanita Headley

Attorney Juanita Headley spoke to Nana Adwoa Sarkodie on her Instagram Live series

Sexual abuse and rape seems to be a daunting issue not only for 3rd world countries but all around the world. Twitter in the last few weeks has been filled with several rape allegations towards men including some prominent celebrities in Ghana and abroad.

Nana Adwoa Sarkodie on her weekly Instagram Live sessions hosted Juanita Headley, a US Attorney, Author and Founder of Changing Cases currently residing in the UK.

Juanita is an outstanding sexual abuse survivor who shares her bizarre story of abuse to audiences across the globe.

She described the first encounter at the age of four (4) when her step dad started grooming her by tickling. This incident unfortunately unfolded into severe cases because her mother turned a deaf ear to her complaints.

"My step dad started tickling me when I was four and I reported to my mother. She told me 'don't let it happen again' and told my step dad 'don't let it happen again'. As an adult, I believe that's why I did not confide in her again after it went from tickling to attempted rape. He will come to my room and try to rape me but was never successful because when he tries to penetrate, I toss and turn." She said.

"My step dad was an alcoholic but I want to be clear that being an alcoholic does not make one a pedophile. Being alcoholic only gave him the courage and confidence to do what he wanted to do and wouldn't have had the guts to do it if he were sober" she added.

According to Juanita, the abuse continued until she was thirteen (13) and her family still did nothing to curb the situation. She confided in her female cousins who then told their mum (her aunt), but this also was to no avail.

She urged society not to judge promiscuous children because most of them turn out that way due to being victims of sexual abuse. "If a child discloses sexual abuse, it's really important to believe them and reassure them. Create a free space for them to be able to share with you" she insisted.

By God's grace, Juanita successfully overcame the trauma and has decided to use her story to inspire others.

"I am convinced that all things work together for our good, that your past doesn't have to dictate your future and that's why I wrote my book (Can You Keep a Secret?). People perish for the lack of knowledge. If I can educate, empower and encourage people on the topic of sexual abuse, on human trafficking, on exploitation, then this could be a different safer world" she said.

When asked whether she had forgiven her step dad, she explained that he turned out to be her best friend because of the grooming from an early age. She even cried at his funeral even though he was a pedophile. However, she feels there might be some form of unforgiveness towards her mother who did nothing to help the situation.

She aims to build bakeries around the world to employ certain criminals and give them a second chance. "As a Christian, I believe every person deserves a second chance including my step dad. I believe in prison time but I believe in second chances and as a result of that, I believe in empowering people regardless of their past sins, mistakes or criminal activities.

She further advised people struggling with certain immoral behaviours to do their best in resisting the temptation. "If you're an alcoholic, you don't walk on the streets where there are bars" she said.

In a response to a question about pastors and spiritual leaders who are sometimes the perpetrators of sexual abuse, Juanita said "We are human first and Christian second. As a result, we do screw up, sin, make mistakes and do illegal things. We are the church, it's not the building and that is unique to that person. Priests are not pedophiles, people are. People are pedophiles and they are sometimes priests".

Finally, she encouraged everyone who has suffered any form of abuse to speak about their experiences. "Every experience we have, there is a purpose for that. If you have been abused, you're innocent. You're not a victim, you're a survivor. Get rid of the shame, take your story and inspire others.

The discussion was simply amazing and transformational. You can watch the full interview via Nana Adwoa Sarkodie on Instagram or YouTube.