Providence: One Girl’s Story of Abuse and of Absolution

At age four, Emma was sexually abused by neighborhood boys-abuse that continued for four years. With no one to tell, not even her parents, her life was filled with pain, shame and misery. She handled her emotional anguish the only way she knew how: by making plenty of mistakes, giving in to anger, suffering mental illness and anxiety attacks, and living a life devoid of joy or self-love. This is her story. A story of survival, and of overcoming emotional, physical and sexual abuse to find happiness in marriage, family and God. She hopes her story will help others who have suffered similar abuse find peace.

Laurel Hall was born and raised in New England. She attended college in Texas earning a BS in Chemistry and Mathematics and a Masters in Education. Hall taught high school math for twenty three years and currently lives in Colorado with her husband.