I’m sharing my story today in the hope that it might resonate with others who have been through similar experiences. This is a story of pain, resilience, and, ultimately, justice.
As a child, I was groomed and sexually assaulted by a member of the Two by Twos, (commonly referred to in Queensland as the non-denominational Christians), hundreds of times by someone I should have been able to trust—a member of a the two by twos, the truth, the church, a cult. The manipulation and abuse I endured were devastating, leaving me with deep emotional scars that I carried for many years. For a long time, I remained silent, overwhelmed by the fear, shame, and confusion that often come with such trauma. The thought of coming forward seemed impossible; I was terrified of not being believed, of being judged, and of the consequences to my life.
But, the trauma was bubbling up in me, I could not keep it down I decided the best for me was to report it to the QUEENSLAND AUSTRALIA police option if I wanted to regain control of my life. I knew I had to do something, not just for myself, but for other potential victims and for the child I once was. So, I made the difficult decision to report the assault to the police in Queensland, Australia.
What followed was a long and gruelling legal battle over approximately four years. The court case was delayed multiple times, which was emotionally exhausting. It often felt like the system was working against me, prolonging my suffering and making me question if it was all worth it. The offender had a high-powered and skilled criminal lawyer who used every tactic to delay justice. Each postponement was a painful reminder of the power imbalance that had existed during the abuse and continued to persist.
His wife attended court, there were members of the church there. His parents attended, and from time to time he held a bible (looking down to read it when the jury were looking).
Despite the challenges, I persisted. I knew I had to stay strong and see this through, no matter how difficult it became. I wanted justice, not just for myself, but for all the survivors who have been silenced or who were too afraid to come forward. For every other woman who I saw in court who watched her offender walk free after an equally long and gruelling court case.
Finally in early 2024, after what felt like an eternity, the court decided to prosecute. The trial was intense, with numerous charges brought against the offender. Reliving the trauma in a courtroom was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but I refused to let fear stop me. In the end, justice prevailed. The jury found him guilty. The offender was convicted and is now serving two years time in prison.
The relief I felt when the verdict was read was overwhelming. For the first time in a long time, I had been healing for many years, and this felt like the final chapter. Knowing that my abuser was behind bars gave me a sense of closure, yet the sentencing was frustrating.
I got to stand up and read my victim impact statement, watch him be taken away in handcuffs, watch him cry, watch his wife cry, watch his family cry. It was the sweetest feeling. During the case, at lunch times, I watched him smile and laugh and joke outside with his criminal defence lawyer, confident, cocky, and at one point he high fived his lawyer, laughing. He was sure he was going home that night. It was so sweet to read my statement out and then go home to my warm bed that night.
There was a weekend in between when he was found guilty and went to prison, so for his sentencing hearing he came in his prison greens. I don’t think he was wearing shoes. He held a bible.
I’m sharing this because I want other survivors to know that justice is possible, even when the road is long and filled with obstacles. It’s not easy, and there were many times when I felt like giving up. But standing up for myself and fighting for justice was the best decision I ever made.
To anyone out there who is struggling with a similar situation: you are not alone. Your voice matters, and your story deserves to be heard. There is power in speaking out, and there is strength in pursuing justice, no matter how difficult it may seem. However, it is not for everyone. I had years of therapy, and many dark nights of the soul.
If you’re considering coming forward, know that there are people who will believe you, support you, and fight for you. The process may be challenging, but you deserve to reclaim your life and see justice served. It is not a path for everyone, but it was the right path for me and it was worth it.
Thank you for reading, and please remember that we are all stronger than the darkness that tried to break us. Together, we can rise above and help others do the same. Stay strong.
Anonymous Account #9
August 24, 2024