(Part 1/3) My sexual abuse began when I was six. One of our neighbours upstairs would take me to his room, touch me, and grind up on me. Because of this experience, I quickly took to the pornography I was already exposed to through friends and some family members. By the time I was 8, I was completely addicted.
During the holidays, a female cousin taught another cousin and I to play with each other’s bodies. It reminded me of all the porn I was addicted to and I enjoyed it. Although I remained a virgin, I picked up other vices – cigarettes and alcohol.
I had gotten a job in Lagos before I found out I had an extra year in school. I was working and going to school, and it was working well. Unfortunately, I did not do so well and got another extra semester. I had to leave my job and go back to school full time. I spiralled into depression. I was talking to myself. I wasn’t eating. I wasn’t sleeping well.
I had friends who were doing their youth service placement in Ilorin, Kwara State. They came down to school to get me. I didn’t even know how I got to Ilorin. It was when I got there that I asked where I was. One of my friends just started to cry. Popular preacher Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo was still in Ilorin at this time, so they took me to his church. They were having this amazing worship session. I heard the Lord say, “Bisi, I love you, I care for you… I care for what you’re going through, allow me to heal you.”
In my mind, I was like, “I’m messed up. You can’t use someone like me. You can’t touch me. I’m not useful to you. I’m a mess, my mind is a mess, and you can’t use someone who doesn’t think straight.” He said: “Trust me.” That day I cried. I was wailing at the top of my lungs and when I got up from that place, I was completely whole and well.
(Read the concluding parts of this story on our website.)