Shattered Innocence

By Ronit Sharma

As a victim of child sexual abuse,

My wounds run deeper than the surface bruise.

The pain that courses through my veins,

Is a constant reminder of my abuser's gains.

My childhood was ripped away from me,

And replaced with a life of agony.

The trauma and fear that I endure,

Will haunt me for as long as I'm sure.

The psychological scars run just as deep,

As the physical marks that I try to keep.

Hidden from the world, to avoid the stares,

And the constant judgment that nobody shares.

I'm plagued by shame and self-blame,

As if somehow I'm the one to blame.

The violation of my body and trust,

Has le ft me feeling vulnerable and crushed.

I try to push the memories away,

But they always seem to come out to play.

The flashbacks and nightmares that I face,

Are a cruel reminder of my abuser's disgrace.

My sense of self-worth has been shattered,

And my ability to trust has been battered.

The trauma has left me with scars,

That can't be healed by any visible stars.

I struggle to form healthy relationships,

To let anyone close and face their grips.

My mind is always on guard, ready to flee,

From anyone who might try to hurt me.

But it's not just the fear and the pain,

That's left me feeling like I'm going insane.

It's the loneliness that I can't seem to escape,

As if I'm forever trapped in a dark landscape.

As a victim of child sexual abuse,

I know firsthand the damage that it can produce.

The aftermath can be felt in every aspect of life,

A constant battle, a never-ending strife.

But I am not alone in this fight,

There are others who have suffered in sight.

We are a community of survivors,

With a shared history of pain and shivers.

And as a society, we must do more,

To prevent child sexual abuse at its core.

We must give a safe space for children to share,

And educate ourselves to show that we care.

It's not enough to simply turn a blind eye,

And hope that the problem will eventually die.

We must take action to break the cycle of abuse,

To ensure that no child is ever again used.

To the world, I make this strong plea,

That what has happened to me,

Will not happen to anyone else,

That no child should ever have to silently dwell.

We must stand up and speak out,

To end this cycle of pain and doubt.

We must support survivors in their journey to heal,

And hold abusers accountable, to show that we feel.

Let's create a world where children can thrive,

Where their innocence is kept alive.

A world where they can grow and flourish,

Without the fear of being abused and perished.

As a survivor, I urge you to take a stand,

And lend a helping hand.

Together, we can make a difference,

And end the pain and trauma that steals innocence.

By Ronit Sharma