All those years I never knew that I was protecting my abusers, by not tell someone who cared. I allowed that man to abuse me, not knowing I could 've gone to a shelter for battered women.

Today, I encourage women to seek help if they are being abused in any way, and children to tell if they're being sexually abused by anyone. I'm going to a therapy group for survivors of sexual abuse and have complete training as a drug/ alcohol counsellor and sexual abuse facilitator for survivors groups. After going through all this, I always thank my creator. There's a reason why I survived. Someone cared enough to believe in me, the man that's in my life today.

Thank you, my friend, for letting me cry when I had to, for your strong shoulders, where I wept all my tears. Thank you, my friend for helping me look inside of myself, for the strong have.

Thank you for bringing me to all the sweat lodges, knowing that I would find my willpower there, that it was there I would be close to our Creator, and our Mother Earth. For it was there I cried, and asked Creator have pity on my prayers. I thank Creator for bringing you into my life. It is through you, I have known the meaning of friendship, love and care.

Thank you, my friend, my love, my husband. There are no words, that can tell you how grateful I am to you, for all you have done for me.

- Audrey G.