Candice Castle
I’m ‘Biting the Bullet’ to share I’m a victim of child assault and teenage rape. I was just a normal kid, I had an amazing life ahead of me until one day it all changed.
I was 8yr old at my mother’s apt. She left me there with her boyfriend n he had a friend come over. I was in the middle of the floor watching TV. I got up to go to my room and my mom’s boyfriend’s friend was there. I didn’t know what to say or do. He told me to come here, to sit on the floor near him. He undone my pants n I said no and I screamed. No one came at all. He threaten me for months that if I told anyone he would hurt my brother the way he did me. I cried myself to sleep for years. Every time he came around I hid from him.
When I was in the 6th grade I came out about my assault in the middle of health class. I broke down screaming and crying when we were learning about assault in class. The teacher took me over to the side and asked me whats wrong. I told her a man assaulted me at age 8. She didn’t know what to say. She hugged me, took me to the counsellor then he called my mom.
I told my mom and she felt angry towards the man. She wanted justice for me. We went to the cops. But since I waited too long nothing was done. Then years later I turned 16 and I went with a friend to a party at another house. No adults were there. Just a bunch of teenage boys, 17 and 18 of age. I thought nothing of it. They were all getting high n drinking. Me and my friend went upstairs. She went into one room and I got taken into another room where there were 6 six guys. I was in horror, scared. I got thrown up against the bed. I was gang rape by 6 six guys. I didn’t know what to do. I pulled up my pants n grab my friend n left. She asked me what’s wrong. I couldn’t tell her so she went home n so did I. I told my brother n mother. My mom felt like she failed me again but she didn’t. I told her it wasn’t her fault. For months we tried to get justice for me but once again not enough evidence is what cops told me.
I’m sharing this story for everyone to know you are not alone in this world. I’m here, I’ll listen. This group has helped me so much in overcoming my past and I want to thank you @farrahaviva and #bitethebulletstories for allowing me to share my story.
To anyone out there just know you’re not alone, don’t be afraid to speak up for yourself and know its never your fault. Don’t ever be afraid to speak up for your rights. It’s never the victim’s fault. Know you have others you can turn to, and this group too. I’m here. And years later I am one happy soul and caring for others as well. Yes, it gets to me at times but I just look up and tell myself you got this you are not at fault. I want people to know that a few years later that first man assaulted another girl, he was caught and sentenced to 15 years.
Again, I thank you Farrah, and BITE THE BULLET Stories for everything you do.