Kayla's Story

Kayla had just turned 16 years old when her life began to change. For 16 years it was just she and her mother. Her mother was her best friend and closest confidant. One day when her and her mother were taking the bus home from the grocery store the bus driver told her mother she was very beautiful. Her mother was not accustomed to such flattery, and the bus driver could tell. He began to pursue Kayla’s mother and that was the beginning of the end of a close relationship Kayla and her mother had formed. One day as Kayla was warming herself by the heating vent in her living room the doorbell rang. Her mother quickly answered, “Who is it” and the man on the other side said Sam. Sam entered Kayla’s home and continued his pursuit for happiness with Kayla’s mother. Kayla’s mother was a lonely woman and had spent years caring for her daughter without any adult companionship. Soon Sam was moving all of his things into Kayla’s home. Kayla never liked Sam, and couldn’t explain to her mother why. There was just something odd about Sam, and Kayla just couldn’t put her finger on what it was. Until one day Sam who put his hand on her thigh approached her. Kayla was unsure of what to do, and said to Sam get your hands off me. Sam was shocked and removed his hand. Kayla proceeded to tell Sam that she didn’t like old men, and he was an old man. Sam laughed and said sure he was old, but he really thought she was pretty. Kayla told Sam so was her mother and he better put his hands on her. Now Kayla was very outspoken and could take care of herself. Growing up in Detroit, MI had hardened Kayla enough to know a shyster when she saw one. Sam continued to pursue Kayla when her mother wasn’t around, and one day her mother caught a glimpse of Sam touching Kayla’s leg. Her mother immediately jumped into action, and asked Sam to leave while she spoke with Kayla alone. Kayla’s mother demanded to know what was going on and if Sam had done something to her. Kayla quickly informed her mother that she was well equipped to take care of herself, and that jerk was not going to do anything to her. Kayla’s mother took that as an answer and then informed Sam that he better keep his hands off her daughter or he could just pack his bags and get out. That is when the abuse began, and Sam beat Kayla’s mother to a pulp. Kayla was angry and couldn’t figure out why her mother would put up with such a violent man. At that moment Kayla decided she would never allow anyone to put his or her hands on her in a violent rage. Sam was really convinced that now that he had Kayla’s mother under control Kayla was next. Sam approached Kayla and as soon as he touched her Kayla told Sam “If you think that you can beat me or rape me you have another thing coming. I will stab you to death and you will be Disco dead buddy.” Sam laughed and said you are one crazy little girl and I have no interest in you. Kayla went on to have a working relationship with Sam and he took her to school sometimes, and even tried to teacher her to drive. Sam was proud of Kayla because she was feisty and wouldn’t take crap from any one. In fact, one time Sam took Kayla and her mother to one of his lodge meetings. At the meeting a man was discussing politics, and he told Kayla you are only a 17 year old girl what do you know about politics. Kayla quickly replied more than you. After debating for 30 minutes with this 50-year-old man he tired and threw in the towel. Sam was beaming with pride and said that’s my daughter she doesn’t take crap from anyone. Kayla quickly pointed out I’m not his daughter, and he is right I don’t take crap from anyone”. Kayla’s mother eventually came to her sense and left Sam. A friend of Kayla’s mother told her that she met Sam’s old girlfriend at the beauty salon and she told her that Sam molested her daughter. When Kayla’s mother told her the story about Sam’s previous girlfriend Kayla thanked God for giving her a relentless stubbornness that saved her from a predator’s advances.

This story is fictional, but based on real life experiences. The fact is molestation and abuse is a real issue in our society. Let’s stop these predators from attacking our women and children. A note to the single mothers out there: please be careful whom you bring into your home around your children. These predators prey on women who are lonely and want some companionship. There is a single mother who vowed to never allow a man into her home with her daughter. I am proud to know her and I admire her determination to protect her daughter. This short story is dedicated to Deborah for standing fast to her convictions and showing everyone that you can protect your child even though it might be lonely at times for you.
The following information was obtained from a website http://www.childmolestationvictim.com/statistics.html. For more information please visit this website for tips on preventing molestation.

Child Molestation & Sexual Abuse Statistics
The number of victims of childhood sexual abuse and molestation grows each year. This horrific crime is directly tied to the growth of pornography on the Internet. Studies conducted by the FBI have shown that pornography is extremely influential in the actions of sex offenders and serial murders. Further, statistics show that 90 percent of the predators who molest children have had some type of involvement with pornography. According to Charles Keating of Citizens for Decency Through Law, research reveals that 77% of child molesters of boys and 87% of child molesters of girls admitted imitating the sexual behavior they had seen in pornography they had watched. Roughly 33% of girls and 14% of boys are molested before the age of 18, according to the U.S. Justice Department. Nearly 2/3 of all sexual assaults reported involved minors and roughly 1/3 involved children under the age of 12. In most cases, however, child molestation goes unreported. Estimates are that only 35% of sexual abuse is reported. Kids can be frightened or embarrassed and many times do not say anything.