Several months ago, I opened the floor for women to write in and share their struggles with pornography in a series entitled “In Her Own Words.”
It’s one thing for me to tell people these women exist; it’s an entirely different thing altogether for these women to have a platform to be heard, even if only anonymously.
Stories are important.
Yes, there is room for research and statistics, and I fully support both in this field. However, that’s not my approach to this issue. My approach is to connect people because, let’s face it, not many of us like statistics. We don’t like studying them in school and we certainly don’t like being them. Entire businesses are run by the idea of treating people like people, not numbers. I believe the same.
No matter what the statistics say, we’re not going to change until a statistic starts to mess with our story. I see this all the time. For the most part, a pastor isn’t going to look for resources for women until the woman who needs it is sitting across from him. A counselor doesn’t study up on the issue until women walk through the door. That’s not a dig; that’s simply how we are as people.
That’s why the first book I wrote wasn’t a resource; it was my story.
“In Her Own Words” gives women a chance to step forward and share their stories here, in a safe place, anonymously, as a way of starting toward healing.
Many responded- few actually shared their story.
If it’s hard for women to share their stories with me (a stranger, but a publicly-identified former addict), then imagine how much harder it would be for them to share with people they know.
The following is one such story. The original author is not a native English speaker. Her name has been changed and the story edited for readability.
Perhaps you make it out of obligation, trudge over to your Bible and flop it open to something “easy.” Your eyes scan the pages, but all it is is black and white text. Two chapters- done. You shut the cover. What was that you just read?
I have not visited my pastor for a long time but I feel a deep need for sharing and advice.
