Regina (I’m Scared)
For the past two years, Regina has not slept most nights. Her mother keeps taking her on “trips.” While out with her mother, Regina must perform sexual acts with men. If she protests, her mother becomes very angry. Regina’s mother keeps her safe by watching her daughter from the front seat of the car or from a corner of the motel room. Regina has been violated by over 80 men. The money her mother receives each night is used to buy crack. Regina’s older brother says she must never tell anyone, or her family will be taken away. It would be all her fault. Regina is tired, so very tired.
Regina appeared to shrink into the corner. She tried to make herself invisible because she was not worthy of anyone’s attention. She had to protect herself. She felt damaged, ugly, and overweight. Her PASSWORD Mentor gently approached her for the first time and asked her what she liked to do for fun. Regina didn’t know. She had never been a child. She had never even visited a park. She didn’t have an opinion. Each day for 9 months, Regina and her Mentor met after school. They talked at the park. They talked while inline skating. They talked while riding bicycles. They ate healthy snacks. Regina began to open up about her past hurts. She began to believe that it was not her fault she was abused. She began to talk about her anger. She began journaling her feelings. She began to make healthier food choices. She began to lose weight. Regina began. Safety, one of Regina’s passwords.
