Dear Pastor,
I am an 18-year-old Christian young woman and I am having a very serious problem. At six years old, my stepfather started molesting me. This man has hurt me so badly and it's affecting my entire life. I think he should pay for all the awful things he did to me.
Whenever he did it, he would beat me badly and say if I told anyone, he would kill me. I feared him and never told anyone of my family members about it.
When I was in school and my friends asked me if I was a virgin, I would say "yes". I did not want to tell them the whole history. This also affected my ability to learn. Sometimes it's like I am going crazy. What I would like to know is if it is possible for me to put him in prison. The Bible says that we must leave all vengeance to God.
Pastor, I really don't know what to do. Please tell me what to do.
M.M.,
Manchester, Jamaica
Dear M.M.,
You are now 18 years old and you hate your stepfather and I understand why you do. I believe that you have to free your mind, and the first thing you should do is to tell your mother what he did to you. It may cause a stir. Your mother may call you a liar. He may also do the same. On the other hand, your mother may want to know why you did not say anything to her before. Tell her that he used to beat you and threaten you. So you were afraid to talk.
I repeat, you are 18 now. If he tries to hurt you in any way, report him to the police. You need to make an appointment with a family counsellor and talk about how you feel. I want you to know that although you have had to struggle emotionally and psychologically with the problem of abuse, God can still use you in a very mighty way. You need help with your self-esteem, but a counsellor can help you. I want to wish you God's blessing. Do write me again.
Pastor
Do
you have a problem? Is something bothering
you? Write to 
