No One Is Going To Believe Me

By Erica Ashby-Johnson M.Ed.

Anthology of real life of accounts of sexual assault and abuse. Showing that women and men going through sex abuse are not alone. Helps people realize how to overcome shame and pain of sex abuse. Inspiring stories of how people can heal after abuse.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Erica Johnson
• Release date: Jan 1, 2021
• ISBN: 9781087913520

Erica Ashby-Johnson M.Ed.

Erica has counseled abuse victims and taught Psychology for over 20 years. She is a Graduate of Vanderbilt University and is currently pursuing her Doctorate. She is committed to helping victims know that they are not alone, and that there is healing and abundant life even after the pain, shame, and degradation of sexual abuse and assault.

Book preview

Foreword

I have been personally acquainted with the author of this book for over three decades. We met as children and maintained a close relationship throughout our lives. Cherry A.J. has always had an innate ability to connect with others which subsequently led to her pursuit as a therapist and academic professor. My own achievement as a Social Worker was greatly influenced by this relationship.

Cherry A.J has experienced personal trauma and the redemptive power of letting go of the shame of her past. This in conjunction with the extensive therapeutic work she has done with others in processing the pain associated with assault has inspired this book. This is a raw, yet honest literature which allows the reader, and those who were brave enough to tell their stories, to find the courage speak their hearts.

Dr. Brene Brown teaches that shame needs three things to grow exponentially: secrecy, silence and judgment. But shame cannot survive with empathy. Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings with others. This book was written with vulnerability and transparency to be a tool that walks with others to take a journey out of shame and into a place of healing and transformation.

A WORD of WARNING:

It is important to be clear that only one individual mentioned in this book has been convicted of any sexual crimes, and he is expressly identified in the text. Anyone else depicted here is merely allegedly cited as a possible perpetrator. This book is meant to condemn NO ONE. It is not to be used as a method of evidence or proof of anyone’s innocence or guilt in the area of sexual abuse and/or assault.

INSTEAD, it is an honest and open account of several people’s experiences concerning a subject that is all- too-often swept under the rug or shoved into the closet. Men and women who have, in some way, been touched by sexual abuse and assault are made to feel like a dirty little shameful, secret, and they live their lives in a victimized state and/or mentality. The Me Too movement, and others like it are beginning to break down these barriers. But when the sex trafficking business is still reaching billion-dollar proportions, something tells me all the Bill Cosbys and Jeff Epsteins have not been identified yet. However, this book is NOT about identifying ANY perpetrators at all. It is about HEALING. Healing for EVERYONE. Those who have been abused, those who have been affected by abuse, and even those who have abused themselves. For if we can ALL get to a place of healing, only then can we obliterate sexual abuse and assault forever.

To My Family:

I did this for ME, and the other victims who are tired of getting up every morning with the secrets and going to bed with them at night. I did this for the people who are hurting and feel alone. They can read, and be touched, and heal. My prayer is to have peace, healing, and closure for us ALL! I am not trying to attack, accuse, or convict anyone. I did NOT do this to hurt anyone, BELIEVE ME!

Contents

Nobody Is Going To Believe Me Clara

Tom

Donna

Amanda

In Their Own Words

Lola’s Story

Hosea’s Story

Robin’s Story

Seglende’s Story

Conclusion: What can we do?!

A Word to The Perpetrators

Afterward: A word on Forgiveness

Your Story

About the Auhtor

Nobody Is Going To Believe Me Clara:

My earliest memory is of my father, my half-sister, Clara, and me all under the covers rolling around, laughing and playing. My father is tickling and rough-housing with us. It seems so innocent and sweet. But wait. Why do I feel funny?! My sister and I