The big picture of the childhood sexual abuse that Karen recounts is as vivid today as yesterday. At the tender age of four years this great evil befell her, which research reveals is also experienced by 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys before their 18th birthdays. Combating or even disclosing the abuse was not made possible for many reasons.  Guilt and shame were the leading causes, followed by fear and threats made by the perpetrator/s. However, in the aftermath of Karen's childhood sexual abuse, a whirlwind of emotions, behaviors and psychological damage ensued, well into her adulthood. 

Karen didn’t suspect that child sexual abuse was in the running; nonetheless, the lack of knowledge exacerbated the residual effects of the abuse: sexual abuse effects of low self-esteem, depression, PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and suicidal ideation. The need for medical assistance arose during that time, and a diagnosis of major depression inferred a culprit. Learning the identity of the culprit and arriving at that realization was bittersweet: childhood sexual abuse. This served Karen well: she became and is one of many who have endured, survived, but ultimately overcame the harsh reality that this brutal abuse inflicted upon her.

Karen's subsequent research of sexual abuse disclosed significant information that placed her on the road to recovery. Though a work in progress, she took criticism and road bumps in stride, using faith and knowledge as her weapons of warfare.