A physical and sexual abuse victim who turned her life around is calling for Bermudian women to stand up to their abusers and prosecute them. Johnnetta McSwain was abused from the age of five. One day, she decided would not become a product of her environment. Ms McSwain created Breaking the Cycle, Beating the Odds, an organisation aimed at helping young women who are victims of abuse.
Saving Children And Revealing Secrets [SCARS] and Centre Against Abuse [CAA] will be partnering to host an event celebrating Peace Day on Friday, September 20th at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess.
The guest speaker for the event will be Johnnetta McSwain-Clay. She will be talking about her childhood trauma which involved repeated sexual molestation and abuse, and how she moved forward.
Woman Rises Above Abuse to Inspire Others
Born to an alcoholic mother and an absent father, Johnetta McSwain found odds unceremoniously stacked against her even as she drew her first breath. By age five, she was raped and repeatedly tied-up, beaten, choked, threatened and tormented by her three uncles while in the custody of her grandparents. Her sister and male cousin experienced the same appalling treatment. At the tender age of eight, when most little girls can enjoy carefree security within the sanctuary of their homes, Johnnetta had contracted syphilis in hers. (Article on WomenSpeak.com)
Recently, I was contacted by an educator who shared with me a story that made national headlines news in January. The story exposed disturbing facts concerning teen girls at a high school in Memphis, TN.
As a survivor of severe childhood sexual, physical, and emotional abuse, I lived a life of recklessness, and inactivity until age 30. I dropped out of high school at 17, had a baby at 19, and on welfare by age 20. Read More
Johnnetta McSwain wins the 2011 Ruby Award presented by Soroptimist International of Atlanta. The Ruby Award honors women who have worked to improve the lives of women and girls through their professional and/or volunteer work. Read More
RISING ABOVE THE SCARS is the true account of Johnnetta McSwain’s triumphant life story. Born to an alcoholic mother and an absent father, the odds were unceremoniously stacked against her even as she drew her first breath. By the innocent age of five, she was viciously raped and incessantly battered by her three uncles while in the custody of her grandparents. Read More
Courtesy of Georgia Public Broadcasting
For full documentary click here
