Stand Strong, Don’t Give Up
When I was 7, something bad happened. An older family member touched me in a bad way - a way that me feel uncomfortable.
The day it happened, I had gone to his room to watch a movie like I sometimes did.
And I never for a second imagined he could harm me.
I was shocked after it happened. I felt so terrible. Why me? What did I do wrong? I asked myself.
How come no one came to my rescue? It made me feel unsafe even with people around.
I couldn’t trust anyone anymore.
This incident made me develop a sudden hate for my mum. I felt like she failed me. Maybe if she had stayed at home more, she might have been able to prevent something like this from happening.
I blamed her for everything. But then I realized she had no choice. She was a single parent who had to work to take care of her 4 children.
And so, I started blaming my late father. Why did he die? Why did he leave my mum to do everything by herself?
I was so hurt. And, I couldn’t even talk to anyone about it. I was sacred they would blame me. Make fun of me. Call me a bad girl.
Once or twice I cut myself. I thought maybe if I inflicted pain on myself it would make me feel better.
And then, there were days I thought about suicide. I was really depressed.
My diary became my closest friend.
As I grew up, I found it difficult to relate with men. I just couldn’t trust them. I disliked all of them.
As years passed, keeping this secret became harder. And then one day, I broke down. I couldn’t hide the pain anymore. I opened up to my mum and sister.
My mum was so furious. She couldn’t believe it. How could I have kept such a thing from her? She was so sad.
We cried and hugged each other afterward. My mum made me promise to never hide anything from her. She asked me to never be afraid to report anyone to her.
She promised to always be there for me.
Although, it has been years since all these happened. And, I am happier now than I used to be. I don’t think about cutting myself or taking my own life anymore. Although, I still find it hard to trust men. But, I am working on it.
I am happy I finally shared this secret. And I hope this would give other Springsters the courage to speak up about any hurt they might have experienced.
Dear Springster, you deserve a right to be treated with some respect regardless of your age. If anyone around makes you feel so uncomfortable tell them how they make you feel and also report them to a trusted older adult like your parents or guardians.
If you are like the girl in our story and need someone to speak to, please call Cece Yara on 08008008001. They run a helpline and are ready to talk to you about any issue around period, boys or just growing up.
Their lines are open Monday to Friday from 9am - 5pm. The call is free.
Your discussion with them is completely confidential and so you don’t have to give your name or details. You can just ask questions and get the support you need.
Want to read more inspiring stories like this one? Then head to our Springster Facebook page and connect with a community of girls just like you! - https://www.facebook.com/heyspringster
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Your thoughts
Wow, thanks big Sis for sharing this
March 20, 2022, 7:55 p.m.
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Hi I just went for like 23hours
Hi Paris I just saw ur message bcus I did not come online since wed or thur.
Tnxs 4 sharing dis it has encouraged me not to hide tins frm my mom and odas.
March 20, 2022, 7:55 p.m.
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Hi bayley
Hi cutie.
hey Good morning
Morning, how are you doing.
fine
Are u still online, wat are u doing later.
Hi bayley I love coconut rice with gizard too
Wow dats awesome, no food diff.
Yes bayley.u think u should reply under my comment instead so i can see it on my replies.
ok bayley can we chat now
hi bayley if u want to still see the types of virginity go to this article titled "am I a virgin? there u will see it.
Add me on fb> Etz de prince.
Gudmorning, what is your favorite color mine is purple. Please Reply under this comment
March 20, 2022, 7:55 p.m.
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green
Gud morning mine is yellow and pinkh
Mine is black and pink
I love royal blue
i dint even have a favourite but i love purple,red,green and gold.
please who is online.i want to have a chart.just say hi.
Gud morning my own is pink & yellow
Good morning springsters and Big sis How was ur night. what's Ur favourite food mine is fried plantain and fried egg.reply under dis comment.
March 20, 2022, 7:55 p.m.
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Gud morning cutie mine is coconut rice with fried fish or meat.
Jollof Spaghetti with fried egg and meatballs. With fried ripe plantain. It is like going to heaven and coming back
Yea i'll do just dat.
How was ur day? Mine was very interesting nd cool too.
I love fried rice with 2 laps of chicken
Hi anonymous.u dey chop ooo,Pls what state are u from.
I tink am just different.i love corn swallow and vegetable with smoked fish.i mean eko and efo .
I love spaghetti with meatballs and vegetables!!!
U know you didn't put me in any mess. It is me that did, If I didn't want to send you credit none of these would have happened. And big sister is threatening to close your own account if she sees any other personal info about you. So I'm deeply sorry for everything, I am still searching for the name and when I find it I'll send it. Please be careful, I don't want her to close your account.
My own is beans&dodo
Hi everyone.Hi bessy I'm online,i actually hate efo bcus it irritates me but when I want to take it forcefully I use milk or chocolate
March 20, 2022, 7:55 p.m.
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hi cutie,how could you use milk to take vegetable(efo),i haven't done it before .
sorry betty I meant eko
ok i think you should comment on your nick name and not annonymous.so i can recognize you sorry i took u for cutie
good morning everyone, I just finish eating pepper soup with hot tea ,what have you eaten.
March 20, 2022, 7:55 p.m.
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Hi bessy
hi cutie, any jist
Yes little gist for u.there is a guy in my school my bestfriend has a crush on him so she sent various letters to him and he always reply(Since jss3),so when we finished our jss3 graduation my bestie left the school for a boarding school,when we were in sss1(3rd term)she sent another letter again through her friend which is our junior and it got to the school proprietress,meanwhile the school proprietress and the boy's mother are childhood friends so he got scolded.when I got to school on Thursday,can u believe that she sent another letter through d Same girl again.
Big sister, sorry I didn't mean to break the rules. I just wanted to see a way of sending credit to her. That is why I asked for her fb name . Sorry Ma, I promise it won't repeat itself again.
March 20, 2022, 7:55 p.m.
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Paris I'm so sorry for putting u in dis mess
I everyone I am Bessy but I had a problem with my phone and I forgot my pin so I had to open up with another name. so I everyone 🔓
March 20, 2022, 7:55 p.m.
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Hey, hot tea with pepper soup to me is a bad combo, it will really burn your tongue. How did you manage to take it and more especially it was in the afternoon
Paris, y are u making jest me, u no I meant warm and it not afternoon it was in the morning.
OK, sorry. What is the local name for pepper soup in your language
I don't even know, all I no is dat people call it pepper soup.
my own is :ji mmiri okú.
I guess that's not yoruba language. it igbo,i am from yoruba land.
Hi besty d service i tlked to jbaby005 was church service.
OK, I didn go to church bcoz, I am sick.
Sorry, hw are u feeling nw, i didn't see ur reply on time bcos u didn't reply unda my name. If u want to reply checjk my name unda dis article '.itunu's period drama'. Thanks.
thanks for ur concern. i ok now,i guess you really cares.
Thanks dear i've seen it, happy new month.
ok thanks
March 20, 2022, 7:55 p.m.
cutie,maybe they are really in love. i dont have any jist.
March 20, 2022, 7:55 p.m.
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Hi besty,How are u doing
just fine nd u
Hi strongwoman! Goodmorning, ummm please how did change your username so that your previous name automatically changed to the new one. Please its urgent, reply thanks.
hi Bayley,just seeing this, you just scroll to the top ,you will find "my profile",click and update your profile .tell me when you get it
Hi strong woman how was ur day, and happy new year. Please reply me cos am bored lets get chatting. Just noticed that you aré online now.
hi long time jare, my phone spoilt so I was not able to reach. Happy new year. please let me know wen you see this.
Eyah sorry what was the problem,oKk, so how was your christmas and new year celebration hope it was extremely joyful.
My Christmas was fine,yours??
So as New year
Oh what a touching story.
March 20, 2022, 7:55 p.m.
happy 1st Sunday of the month everyone.
March 20, 2022, 7:55 p.m.
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Hapi sunday to you too dear.
Hi jbaby
hi jababy ,same here .
March 20, 2022, 7:55 p.m.
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Yeah, i clearly remember where we met. Reply under my name in this article 'itunu's period drama' thanks.
hi jababy ,same here .how far.
March 20, 2022, 7:55 p.m.
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How far, besty(bessy), am i right by putting bessy-(ur old name in bracket), hw was ur day.
fine ooo , u re not wrong ,you can call me either bessy or besty. and how are you.
Fine ooo dear, hw was ur day, sorry i didn't see ur comment on tym its been long since i logged in, u shld try nd reply unda my name.
hi bayley ,yes I notice you have not been online for days now,jbaby and cutie ,hope nothing is wrong ,oh sometimes you need to do away from social media, like me too i will be away for days very soon coz I have to attend to sch things .
bayley can you remember where we met,the article 5 ways to sure you don't get stained. can you remember.
Is depend on how you behave, and reaction.
March 20, 2022, 7:55 p.m.
Is depend on how you behave, and reaction.
March 20, 2022, 7:55 p.m.
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hi
Hello Paris2 and Umarfaruk, Happy Sunday to you guys.
March 20, 2022, 7:55 p.m.
Hello Paris2 and Umarfaruk. Happy Sunday to you guys.
March 20, 2022, 7:55 p.m.
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Hi pinky.b, hw r u doing can wi chat sumtym.
Happy Thursday, thanks
hi
March 20, 2022, 7:55 p.m.
Hello PEARL.
March 20, 2022, 7:55 p.m.
Besty can we be frnds
March 20, 2022, 7:55 p.m.
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sure,we can.
besty whats ur facebook user name?
you see ,i made a mistake for accepting your friend request,you are part of the people that break the rules,big sis has always warn us not to share personal in formation,and you still have the guts to ask for my facebook username . And moreover i am not on facebook ,you can go ahead and ask another person who you can be your friend on facebook.
you should have reply me ..... I am sorry for the way I spoke. please springster let stop breaking rules.don't let big sis get mad at us.and let stop this Facebook, messenger e.t.c stuff. WE ARE STILL FRIENDS ........Micheal _usher am sorry , I spoke out of anger, you might get annoyed with my first comment,you might be tiking is it more than Facebook username ,but I guess you are wrong, you know it already ,so let forget about it .And Big sis we are sorry. Micheal usher please reply,who has a gist.
Ok no problem
Hi Michel usher why did you change your user name.
Hello Bayley I'm doing great and you, how was your day.
March 20, 2022, 7:55 p.m.
Hello Bayley I'm doing great and you, how was your day.
March 20, 2022, 7:55 p.m.
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Am fyn, my day was grt.
My girlfriend me sweety.. Not knowing dat ... She has someone.. DAT she call sweetheart
March 20, 2022, 7:55 p.m.
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Hey Nnamo! Thanks for the comment. We are so sorry about this. We get how sad you feel right now. Have you spoken to her about this? What was the conclusion from the conversation (if there was any)?. We look forward to a response from you.
Nothing i just feel like.
March 20, 2022, 7:55 p.m.
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OK ooo ,how far ,any gist
pls how old re u
good day, why did you ask . I am 13,but u will tell me y u asked.
nothing i jst want to know
ok o ,what of you.
15
are you a girl or a boy. answer and let discuss about you sex life. as in just make it lively.
A boy
do you have a girlfriend
No what of u
to be sincere ,no I don't have a boyfriend but recently I had a crush, but I think he is also crushing on me but I can't date him .
ok o
Y can't u date him
many reasons, I'm not ready to date, I only crush and not love,my parent must not know, I already made up my mind not to date in secondary schools.
kk
change the topic ,gist me ,riddles ,jokes,or even story.
the more you take me,the more u left behind. what am i?
just guessing, WATER
lols u tryed, buh the main answer is footstep
oh ,you got me ,my turn .I start with E and I end with E ,but only one letter is in me ,what am i
no idea
yes ,got you ,an envelope .
lols intresting
hey,what ur future ambition.
civil engeneering
great ,which university are you willing to study
Unn and u
what do you mean by "unn" mine is a medical Doctor and according to my dad ,he said he has some plan for my university that i should work hard.
unn means university of nigeria nsukka. strongwoman, can i hear more about u
like what
like what
ur real name
you know that is not possible.
Kk fine.
ok,good night.
hi!
Hi fake friend- prince anonymous.
So how was ur day
March 20, 2022, 7:55 p.m.
It deosn't matter how heavy ur burden are, try sharing it with s/1 u trust u will feel relive
March 20, 2022, 7:55 p.m.
The same thing happened to me. but i have moved on with my life
March 20, 2022, 7:55 p.m.
i was raped by my stepfather and he threatened me and he does it every night and i just wish he would stop but i can't,tell my mum because she loves him and he is going to kill me
March 20, 2022, 7:55 p.m.
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Are you a dummie report to your mum b4 it is too late!!!!!!!!!!!!!¡¡¡¡
Are you serious, that man is playing with your life what if u get pregnant or contact any disease is that when u are gonna speak up 'no'. he is ruining ur life, speak out for crying out loud. Sorry about that, try and talk to your mom or any trusted adult, hope this helps. Take care of yourself. He is abusing you.
sorry about that ,the best thing is to tell ur mum ,and your mum would take it serious and wont say because of love ,her own daughter's life is going to be ruined,never,tell her before it too late,and as bayley as said you can get pregnant and contact diseases,if you get pregnant and and she is is not aware of what is happening,she wont believe you.pllss tell her before it too late.
Hello Kacee, You are extremely brave and strong to share this with us no matter what anyone else says to you. You have been through so much and I am so sorry that you have had to endure this treatment in your own home. It is not your fault and it will never be your fault.
While we cannot change what has happened, we can start working to make sure it does not happen anymore and that you are safe from now on. Big Sister knows some people who will talk to you on the phone for free and help you deal with this situation because you deserve all the help you can get. They will not tell anyone anything about what you have told them without asking you first. They will give you the medical help you need and do all they can to protect you.
Please call the number on this article. It is free and someone will answer your call at any time - 24 hours. Please reach out for their help, you do not have to do this on your own dear. Also, remember that Big Sister is also here for you. Take care and please call as soon as you can.
Hey ALENA, You are right.
March 20, 2022, 7:55 p.m.
It is hard to Open up ur problem to someone, but I think if you are gonna do that, u need to tell your parent about it rather than ur friends unless u trust them.
March 20, 2022, 7:54 p.m.
Hi
March 20, 2022, 7:54 p.m.
So touching. we need to take heart nd always share our secret with our parent in order to put us through.
March 20, 2022, 7:54 p.m.
I hate being in a distance relationship because d last one was though and sad to me, d guy I was dating, I will say his caring but don't no he has been lying for me for d long time we have dated, wen I noticed he was lying to me and dat his not a sincered person I felt disappointed and I had to quit d relationship and fudge ahead. For ladies who like dating guys dat base abroad make sure u no what dat person does for a living Try and no whether his a truthful and sincered person Make sure u own one of his friend contact or u are friends on social network Try and no some of his siblings or d parents. Datz my stories
March 20, 2022, 7:54 p.m.
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Hey Sandra! Thanks a lot for your comment. We are so inspired by your comment. Thanks a lot for sharing this.
Wow Nice Advice
Hi friends, am still having that same problem anytime I wanna log in it will always be a problem and now in the third time am changing my username from jbaby005- to dashy and now to flawless, big sis I can't understand why all these are happening ooo,I missed everything that has happened in springsters I no longer feel happy because of that.
March 20, 2022, 7:54 p.m.
Hi
March 20, 2022, 7:54 p.m.
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Hi happy new year
sorry about dat but u hv to share the issue wit ur mum b4 is too late
March 20, 2022, 7:54 p.m.
Sorry friend, I know it's Difficult but let's try to inform someone about such Happenings
March 20, 2022, 7:54 p.m.
My Christmas was joyful . Yours???
March 20, 2022, 7:54 p.m.
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Fine ooo, would have replied since but had a problem with my sim card, got an info that said my sim registration failed so i had to remove the sim and put it again and kaboom it worked.
Good morning.Thank goodness, u will register again.and now tell me something.
Good morning, am cooking rice, so gist me u can tell stories, riddles or jokes.
OK,a story of a boy who was rushed into the hospital.And he need a surgery very quickly .The doctor then said"this is my son ,I can't perform any operation on him" whereas the doctor is not the son father, Now tell me how can the boy be the doctor's son .
I have no idea its confusing, let me try don't laugh ooo the boy is the doc's nêphew.
OK,I am not laughing but smiling. then let me tell you,the doctor is the son's mother.If the doctor is not the father then the doctor will be mother
Thanks, it seems easy now youv'e explained, but at first it was confusing.
Gist me too
Oh. That means the doctor is a woman.. Hey girls, I'm Ella.. I'm sort of new here😊
Hi Ella,u are welcome.
hey ,bayley,wat's up.
I'm fine, happy sunday. How are you too, had a low battery thats why i didn't reply.
When was the last time since you chatted with dashy, cutie, prince_jnr and the rest ,cos i miss them. Hope they've not run from us.
it 's been long o,but u no I told you av not been online since.I miss them too.happy sunday
Ok, i'll chat with you later my battery is weak, i'll chat with 2moro rather. The battery is showing red.
alright
Hi goodmorning, i have a quote for you, saw it somewhere. Speak in such a way that others love to listen to you. Listen in such a way that others love to speak to you. Bye let me look for a joke to send to you.
hi,sorry I took so long to reply,u no,sch start today,so I don't have time like I use to have. I love the quote,let me throw u one ."don't lower your standard for anyone, If they can't see the best in you,they don't deserve to be in your life.And don't forget you are some people's reason to smile" ...waiting for the joke😁..............
Thanks, luv the quote. Here is ur joke. Husband: why is it that each tym i upset you, you just remain calm. Wife: i just go and clean the toilet. Husband: and hw does it help. Wife: it helps alot cos i use ur toothbrush.
I don't understand, is that the wife has just used his brush in cleaning the toilet????
The wife uses the husbands toothbrush to clean the toilet, means thats how she retaliates the mans meaness.
hi ,its long ooo .please reply as soon as u see this.
Hiii, i missed you, went to church not long since i returned, so decided to log in cos its been long, so how are you.
fine oo ,sch has not allowed me to log in ,I am too occupied,u no I got to attend to some things .wat of you .how is sch and everything.
Everything is fyn, yours?
I dey oo, srry it took so long to reply u.u no ,I av to go to sch ,finish my assignment and all that stuff.I even logged in so that I can reply u .really I miss u a lot
hello here... I'm new
Miss you too, take care.
hiii,u kept me waiting why do u take so long. have any thing for me .And hi gold4563
Am so so sorry, i have been so busy, am going to write waec this year since i had a pass in one of my subjects last year, so wats up.
Hi,a good friend of mine, sorry for not chatting with you all this while,my phone had issues so I had to get a new phone.how is everything girl .on your last comment u said you will be having your waec this year,how much have u been preparing.looking forward for your reply.....
so sorry about that we really need to be best friends with our older elderly ones
March 20, 2022, 7:54 p.m.
sorry
March 20, 2022, 7:53 p.m.
So sorry for that
March 20, 2022, 7:53 p.m.
Hey Big sis...... I'm goin thru d same phase, and I really feel depressed. Last night I woke up to my uncle smooching my breasts, and when i shouted all he said was that I snore to much and that I should Lay down well(which was a lie). Since we stay in a single room apartment I didn't want to confront him immediately because my sister, his wife was there and such story could harm her since she's pregnant. But I'm tired of being abused this way by him... Previously he would touch my breasts through hugs n i would tell him to stop. He did stop for a while only for him to resort to smooching my breasts at nyt. What do I do big sis? I'm afraid he would try something worse next time. Pls help. 😞
March 20, 2022, 7:53 p.m.
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Pls report to smeone u trust.tel ur sista,or tel him u wld report him.or u can leave dere if it persist 2 prevent worse
Can i send text massage instead of calling?
March 20, 2022, 7:53 p.m.
Tanks alot dear. Problem shared is half solved
March 20, 2022, 7:53 p.m.
Yes,bt wat if i dnt av parents nd d guardian cnt b trusted..wat cud i do
March 20, 2022, 7:53 p.m.
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At least there is alwsys one friend either female or male who behaves matured and whom you can trust.
Nt everybody got the chance 2make friend(s)