A perpetrator who engages with a child in this way is committing a crime that can have lasting effects on the victim for years. For Debra, one of these effects was dealing with substance use. “It made me feel like drugs were the only way out. I was looking for love in all the wrong places.” She has also dealt with feelings of guilt and shame and thoughts of suicide.

It took many years for Debra to come to terms with the abuse. “He made me believe that it was normal and we were meant to be together.” Once she was on her own, the hard work of healing began. As a way to recover from the experience, Debra wrote down her story. Her book, My Daddy, The Devil, and Me, describes her experience and the many challenges she faced. She hopes that sharing her story will help others who may feel alone. “My desire to help others is because I never heard anything on the radio or saw anything on T.V. That would have helped my situation at that time. There's uncountable victims in the grave at the hands of their abusers and can't speak out.”

Debra is one of seven survivors featured in the RAINN Survivor Series. Learn more about the campaign.

If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual violence, it’s not your fault. You are not alone. Help is available 24/7 through the National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800.656.HOPE and online.rainn.org, y en español: rainn.org/es.