Ep. #195. Jimmy Vaughan, childhood sexual abuse survivor

Sexual predators often put themselves into a position where they have access to their young prey.  In Jimmy's case, the predator who stalked him was an adult leader of the Sea Cadets.  At the age of 14, the grooming process started, and the abuse began.  Predators can always tell who may be vulnerable, and susceptible to the grooming process.  Like a Lion on the Serengeti, they pick out the young and the vulnerable from the herd, and start stalking their prey.  Children who feel unloved, and or insecure are the most vulnerable. The child predator can identify those who are craving attention and affirmation more than most, and they use that craving to start the grooming process.  The predator offers a sense of connection, false love, false acceptance, and false self esteem to their prey.  Once the bond is strong enough, the abuse begins, often without the child even realizing that they are being abused.  The effect this can have on a Childs' life is always profound, and often catastrophic. Their sense of identity is destroyed.  They may become confused about their sexuality, and unable to navigate morality.  Jimmy is helping others via Peer Support, to help them find a sense of healthy connection.  Peer support, when done right, helps to end the stigma and shame of abuse.