It was a warm evening in October. They were at his grandparents’ house, alone in the backyard. They looked up at the full moon as Dave began touching her with tender kisses and gentle strokes of her hair. As he kissed her, he said, “I love you…I love you.” Kat felt so loved inside.

In an instant, Dave’s gentleness turned into a more aggressive touch. His sweet voice grew harsh. He forced her onto the ground as she cried, “No…No.” She struggled, confused by what was happening, but she could not stop him.

They Met at Youth Group

When Kat was 9, her family went to New York City and saw the Broadway musical, Little Orphan Annie. It inspired Kat like nothing else, and it became her goal to sound just like Annie. Day after day, she and her sister, Allison, would sing “Tomorrow” at the top of their lungs, hoping someone would hear and compliment their talent.

Kat soon found herself singing all the time. She took private voice lessons for 10 years and began singing professionally. Whenever her parents had guests over, Kat was the entertainment. She performed everywhere she could. When people clapped and cheered, she felt like she was special—like she was loved, valued and worth something.

Shortly after her 14th birthday, Kat started attending a new youth group in a local church. That’s when she first locked eyes with 17-year-old Dave. That night he offered to drive her home, and she accepted.

From then on, they were hooked. They started seeing each other nearly every day, and Kat’s parents were thrilled she was spending so much time with the “youth group.” As the weeks went by, Kat began to feel things for Dave she’d never felt before; she trusted him and cared deeply for him.

Then that terrible night came. Dave proved he was not worthy of her trust the night he violated her by having sex with her against her will. It was a night she never would forget.

Aftermath of an Attack

Kat walked away from that experience a different girl. She thought it was her fault. In a matter of seconds her world was turned upside-down and nothing would ever be the same—not her family, her friends, her school, God and especially the way she viewed herself. In the days and months that followed, she felt surrounded by a thick, dark fog. She felt the beating of a constant pain inside her.

Two weeks later, Kat was getting ready to sing a solo at church when Dave walked in. He came over to her and said, “I never loved you. It’s over,” and walked away. She stood in disbelief. She wanted to scream at him, but she couldn’t find any words. She loved him and hated him at the same time, which left her confused and devastated. She fell deeper into the fog and even contemplated suicide.

Kat didn’t know how to handle all the pain she was feeling. She started doing things she’d never done before—ditching school, sneaking out in the middle of the night, drinking, experimenting with drugs and hooking up with random guys.