My aunt’s boyfriend is a very dirty man

Dear Pastor,

I have been reading your column from I was a child. I grew up in a house where space was very tight, and as children we shared the same bed; boys and girls together. We did not have any privacy as girls. My brothers saw us girls naked, and we saw them naked. Whenever we were able to get away from home as girls, we took the opportunity.

We always asked our aunt if we could come and stay with her. She was always happy to have us, until one weekend when my sister and I went to spend time with her. While there, her boyfriend came on to the bed in which we were sleeping. When we tried to scream he threatened us. He put his mouth on our breasts and vaginas. But when he tried to have sex with us, we decided to fight.

I shouted out first and my aunt, who was asleep, woke up and was on her way to our room when this man got up and went through the back door, into his room. She asked him where he was and he said that he thought he heard a scream so he went to check, but did not see anybody.

She told him that she thought she heard a noise herself. My sister and I said we were going to tell her, but we changed our minds because he threatened us; and he also told us that our aunt would never believe that he tried to rape us.

This man is very dirty. He has girl children our age and he would not want any man to try and rape them. We cannot tell our mother what happened at our aunt's house because she would not believe us.

E.

Dear E.,

I would suggest that you do not go back to your aunt's house, even if she invites you and your sister back. If you do not feel comfortable talking to your aunt about what her boyfriend did, you should at least tell your mother. One cannot be absolutely sure how your mother would react. She may believe and wonder why she was not informed about the conduct of her sister's boyfriend earlier. In any event, do not go back to your aunt's house. You can't trust her boyfriend.

What he has done to you is not only immoral, but criminal. Under Jamaican laws, he can be charged and brought before the court to answer for his actions. You may consider getting the police involved, or informing someone in authority.

One of these days, things will change for yourself and your other siblings. Just work hard in school, pass your exams and go to college. God will bless you.

Pastor