YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - (Page 40) CRISIS WHEN TRAGEDY GETS PERSONAL Surviving Date Rape by Jen Howver and Megan Hutchinson It was a warm evening in October. They were at his grandparents’ house, alone in the backyard. They looked up at the full moon as Dave began touching her with tender kisses and gentle strokes of her hair. As he kissed her, he said, “I love you…I love you.” Kat felt so loved inside. In an instant, Dave’s gentleness turned into a more aggressive touch. His sweet voice grew harsh. He forced her onto the ground as she cried, “No…No.” She struggled, confused by what was happening, but she could not stop him. They Met at Youth Group When Kat was 9, her family went to New York City and saw the Broadway musical, Little Orphan Annie. It inspired Kat like nothing else, and it became her goal to sound just like Annie. Day after day, she and her sister, Allison, would sing “Tomorrow” at the top of their lungs, hoping someone would hear and compliment their talent. Kat soon found herself singing all the time. She took private voice lessons for 10 years and began singing professionally. Whenever her parents had guests over, Kat was the entertainment. She performed everywhere she could. When people clapped and cheered, she felt like she was special—like she was loved, valued and worth something. Shortly after her 14th birthday, Kat started attending a new youth group in a local church. That’s when she first locked eyes with 17-year-old Dave. That night he offered to drive her home, and she accepted. From then on, they were hooked. They started seeing each other nearly every day, and Kat’s parents were thrilled she was spending so much time with the “youth group.” As the weeks went by, Kat began to feel things for Dave she’d never felt before; she trusted him and cared deeply for him. Then that terrible night came. Dave proved he was not worthy of her trust the night he violated her by having sex “Kat didn’t know how to handle all the pain she was feeling. She started doing things she’d never done before.” 40 March/April 2009 | YouthWorkerJournal.com Illustration by Martina Ahlbrandt http://www.YouthWorkerJournal.com
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