My story of freedom

I am now 17. After losing mum to cancer at the age of 14 I had no one to talk to about what was happening at home. Mum had been sick since I was 6 and she spent more time in Royal Perth Hospital then at home. Mum would know who I was sometimes but when I whent to see her and she didnt know me I would get so depresed. That when I got home I would cry for hours at a time.

One day last year I was doing a maths essay, when the teacher yelled at some kind for throwing a chair. I jumped up and not paying attention yelled back ''I have not told anyone Dad, I won't tell anyone." After that I ran out of class. As I ran out I heard one of the kids say shes been raped by her dad for years. I had not told anyone ever.

The teacher ran out after me and so did my boyfriend. They both chased me for about 5 minuets before the teacher caught me and stopped me. I cried for ages in his arms while my befriend whent to get the Chaplin.

After spending 2 and a 1/2 hours with my teacher and the Chaplin, I was taken to the police and sat there for about 6 hours given them a statement with my teacher and my boyfriend and the chaplin.

After doing that we whent for coffee and I was so out of it that I didnt hear any of them making plans of what was going to happen. I was going to stay at my teacher's house with him and his wife until the police had finished their inquiries.

We whent home to get my belongings. I was made to get them all. I was also not allowed by the school to go to school untill I was feeling well.

I have spent the last 18 months living with my teacher and his wife, and I have enjoyed it. For once I am feeling safe. I have been told I''m not to leave until I am married and having kids.

My boyfriend and all my friends and the staff at the school have put up with my moods and my self hatrid. But they are all happy I am getting on with life now. I never found out how one of the kids in class knew what had happened but Im glad they did. I am going to a consellor and to a psych every week now.

My teacher and his wife are my legal gardians now and I have as much freedom or as little as I want. If I am having a bad night or I am not coping I stay home and someone stays with me. The court case is in 3 weeks and I am scared but I am doing well. Better now than before. I dont have to face HIM in the court room because it is dne on a TV link to the court room. I am so HAPPY and i have learnt to laugh once again.