Testimonial

HOW I SURVIVED

HOW I SURVIVED, at the age of 17 I became what I did not want to be, a VICTIM. Months before entering college my (then boyfriend) put a gun to my head. As a teen I thought it was acceptable until I met a Memphis Police Officer who reminded me that I was a "Queen" and should never allow anyone to remove my crown. YET!!! it happened again. Just when I thought things were going well for me, (now a college student) my new abuser took it several steps further and RAPED me. Soon after, I reunited with a past partner and became pregnant. For 8 months I, a professional woman, a queen, a mother of a child who admired me, the youngest sibling of 4 older brothers... hid both a pregnancy and the fact that I was again a VICTIM of Intimate Partner Violence. Months after the birth of the child the abuse continued. The event that my children witnessed the abuse was the day that I KNEW IT WAS TIME TO "GET OUT." I came to my breaking point. He would not leave, therefore I devised a plan that meant I had to " “TELL my BUSINESS." Some didn't believe me, others ignored me and many said it wasn't their problem. Plan #2... I made people get involved by calling them when I was being abused and recording my abuser in the act. It took several months, I lost friends, but when I met my abuser in court with witnesses, an order of protection was granted. Today the wound has healed yet the memories are still present. The abuse over the years not only affected me but my family (psychologically). It was my friend's death that forced me to publicly share my story. My name is Sherry Bougard, the founder of Bee TrU. My past experiences afford this nonprofit a chance to speak to men and women about being a victim & how to help a victim.

As a survivor, I am her to tell you that no matter what, do NOT ALLOW ANYONE TO REMOVE YOUR CROWN. If U can take a step to stop being a victim (yes, I do understand that it's not that easy) or to help a victim (yes, I know it can be frustrating) again I say... IF YOU CAN, join me as a Survivor and Bee TrU as an advocate. I AM SHERRY. I AM A SURVIVOR.