The Queen of Disassociation-Maria

Quick Overview

Maria, now 25, bravely shared deeply disturbing childhood sexual abuse inflicted by her maternal grandfather, Papa, which she had suppressed for 20 years, while also confronting her mother about inconsistent parenting and her father about financial exploitation and emotional absence.

Key Points: Maria shares that her childhood sexual abuse began around age four or five, perpetrated by her maternal grandfather, Papa, who she lived with most often because her father was an alcoholic and could not provide housing. The abuse was discovered when Maria's cousin reported similar actions by Papa, leading to Papa's denial that he touched the girls, claiming only, "if I did, I was drunk," which Maria refutes by stating, "Alcoholism is never an excuse for pedophilia. Never." Maria recounts a memory where Papa made her undress and dance for him, and another where he put his mouth over a t-shirt onto her vagina, telling her the acts were a secret because "it's supposed to be a secret. So don't ever tell anyone." Maria confronts her mother for leaving her alone with Papa after the abuse was known, specifically recalling a weekend trip where her mother claimed there was no room in the car, stating, "I would have never allowed a known sexual predator to watch my baby that couldn't talk." Maria criticizes her father for financial irresponsibility, including asking her for money when he owes her, and attempting to sell the car she bought herself without telling her, asserting, "I still love you, Dad, but I would never respect you ever again." Maria notes that her mother, while loving and generous, was inconsistent, being tough on Maria but lenient on her sister Meline, who became pregnant at 15 and did not finish school, while Maria was held to a higher standard, like being hit for wrong answers during study sessions. Maria also reveals that her younger brother unintentionally burned down their family home in 2009 by lighting cigarettes, a behavior taught by their uncle and Papa, resulting in the loss of all their possessions.