Stories of Healing

Sexual assault and abuse happens across all ages, all walks of life. And it affects everyone—girls, boys, women, men. Not only the victims, but their families and their friends. Here are just a few of the stories of people we’ve helped.

Sexual abuse can take away childhood.

A 9-year-old girl was brought to Zacharias Center after experiencing sexual abuse. She was unable to sleep or concentrate at school. Even worse, she felt guilty, as if she had done something wrong. Through our Children’s Counseling, she became more expressive of her feelings, which in turn, helped her family respond in healthier ways. Best of all, she was able to sleep again and concentrate on being a kid.

Sexual assault hurts everyone, not just the victim.

A 12-year-old boy came to Zacharias Center after surviving a sexual assault at summer camp.  Both the boy and his family turned to us for help. While the boy attended three months of free individual counseling, his parents participated in our Parent’s Group. The whole family experienced healing, through Zacharias Center’s programs and services.

All too often, rapists aren’t strangers.

A 17-year-old girl came to Zacharias Center after being raped by an acquaintance. She had learned about our services and programs through our Child Assault Prevention Program presented by Zacharias Center at her school the year before. Because of our Prevention Program, she was able to understand what had happened to her and courageous enough to reach out for our help. She received free counseling and attended a support group.

Healing can happen at any age.

After 63 years of hiding the shame and pain of his sexual abuse, a 68-year-old man found the courage to seek counseling at Zacharias Center. He attended seven months of free, individual counseling and also attended Zacharias Center’s Adults Molested As Children group. Through us, he finally found the support he needed to facilitate his healing process.

Healing can change lives.

After a mother learned that her 6-year-old daughter had been sexually abuse by an uncle, she brought the girl to Zacharias Center. The girl received individual counseling and additional help through art and play therapy. At the same time, the mother attended group counseling. She was so impressed by the help she and her daughter had received that she became a hotline volunteer with Zacharias Center.