What Aubrey's Father Did To Her That Changed Her Life | Toni Talks

Summary

Aubrey Juanta shares her harrowing journey of childhood abuse, surviving a cycle of domestic violence, and finding solace in faith. From being molested by her neighbor and father at a young age to enduring an abusive marriage, Aubrey's story is a testament to resilience. Her time in prison became a turning point, where she found forgiveness and peace through her relationship with God, transforming her life and becoming a beacon of hope for others.

Takeaways

• 😢 Aubrey Juanta experienced severe trauma at the age of 6 when her neighbor's father attempted to sexually abuse her.
• 🏠 Aubrey's family moved to Cavite after the incident, but she grew up questioning the acceptability of her experience.
• 👨‍👧‍👦 Aubrey's own father began to sexually abuse her, an ordeal she endured alongside a sister who faced a similar situation.
• 🙅‍♀️ Despite attempts to communicate her abuse to relatives, Aubrey found that it was considered a family taboo and was largely ignored.
• 🛏️ Aubrey's fear of her father led to her avoiding using the bathroom at night, resulting in bedwetting.
• 🤰 Aubrey married her first husband at 19, hoping to escape her abusive home life, but found herself in another abusive relationship.
• 💔 After suffering continued abuse, Aubrey attempted suicide by overdosing on her husband's heart medication.
• 📚 A teacher's concern led Aubrey to open up about her home life, marking a pivotal moment of being heard.
• 🔒 At 28, with five children, Aubrey was imprisoned due to a warrant of arrest related to her then-boyfriend's criminal activities.
• 🕊️ While in prison, Aubrey found solace and forgiveness through her faith, which became a cornerstone of her healing and transformation.
• 💬 Aubrey's story illustrates the cycle of abuse and the power of forgiveness, as she eventually forgave her father after understanding his own history of abuse.

Q & A

What traumatic event occurred in Aubrey's childhood that changed her life?

Aubrey was sexually abused by her playmate's father when she was 6 years old, an event that had a profound impact on her life.

Why did Aubrey's family move to Cavite after the incident with the neighbor?

There was a commotion in their street in Sampaloc, and shortly after, Aubrey's family moved to Cavite, possibly to escape the situation and its aftermath.

How did Aubrey's father's alcoholism affect his behavior towards her?

Aubrey's father, who was kind when sober, would become a different person when he drank, losing his inhibitions and acting on his desires, which led to him sexually abusing Aubrey.

What was Aubrey's strategy to avoid her father's abuse at night?

Aubrey would hug her grandmother tightly while sleeping, hoping her father wouldn't take her. However, this did not always work, and she sometimes ended up wetting her bed to avoid going to the bathroom through her father's room.

Why did Aubrey's mother not intervene to stop the abuse by her father?

Aubrey's mother was aware of the abuse but was likely overwhelmed by the taboo nature of the situation and her own victimization by Aubrey's father, which led to her inaction.

How did Aubrey's teacher discover her situation at home?

Aubrey's teacher noticed she was always falling asleep in class and upon asking her about it, Aubrey opened up about the abuse she was experiencing at home.

What was the advice Aubrey's teacher gave her regarding her situation at home?

Aubrey's teacher suggested that she should find work or marry a rich husband to leave her family situation, which led Aubrey to marry her first husband when she was 19.

How did Aubrey's first marriage affect her life?

Aubrey married her first husband, who was 42 years old, to escape her abusive home life. However, she later faced abuse in this marriage as well.

What was the turning point for Aubrey that led her to attempt suicide?

Aubrey attempted suicide after feeling isolated and overwhelmed by the continuous cycle of abuse and lack of support from her family.

How did Aubrey find peace and forgiveness while in prison?

In prison, Aubrey found solace in reading the Bible, attending ministry sessions, and praying, which helped her forgive her father and find peace with her past.

What was the significance of the draft message Aubrey found on her father's phone after his death?

The draft message on her father's phone was a plea for forgiveness from God, which helped Aubrey understand her father's own struggles and solidified her forgiveness towards him.