I am a survivor of Rebekah Home (and I do mean survivor), I was there for most of 1984-April 1985. I had my sweet 16 birthday there. Most of my memories are so much like the other girls, and I am amazed at how much I had forgotten. I do not feel I need to go into all my own stories since they are very much the same as most of the others. I have tried very hard since I left there to forget it, but for some reason now, at this time in my life, I am remembering it and finding it hard to forget again. I am sure we all have post traumatic stress problems in varying degrees. I too had to kneel for hours, was locked up, and experienced some horrific abuse from the Barrett's and other girls, which I find hard to talk about or deal with. When I do try to tell someone about my life that year, they cannot grasp it or understand what that kind of experience is like, they try to but they cannot. I think what we survivors went through was criminal and a great injustice, and knowing places like this one are still out there really troubles me. I Thank God everyday my children had a wonderful childhood without going through any of that kind of abuse. I too had a faith in God when I was sent there and then due to the actions of those who were supposed to take care of me I found I hated religion. I believe in God and the bibles teachings but do not believe in any kind of organized religion. My reasons for this go beyond what happened to me at this place as I was molested by a hellfire & brimstone preacher at a church we were attending, but this place just compounded my feelings in this matter.
I am greatly offended by some of the postings in here from some girls who are calling others Evil for stating what they think are "lies." Just because you were willing to be brainwashed and loved the place does not mean most of the other girls were willing to be brainwashed and live in a fantasy world. The only way you could defend this place is if you were completely brainwashed and delusional. I highly question how anyone could defend these people who were clearly abusive in many ways all under the cover of christianity. How can these people call themselves christians?? If anyone did any of these things to their child today in their home that child would be taken away without hesitation. How can you with a clear conscious say this was a good place and you are better for it? If you can do that then you do need serious mental help, as you are completely delusional and in denial.
My life since Rebekah has taken many turns, most of them for the better. I was finally able to forgive my Mother in my late 20s for leaving me there. She threatened me about 6 months after my leaving there that she was going to take me back. I told her if she tried that I would leave and never return, she would have to drag my dead body there and I meant it. Fortunately that never took place and I met the love of my life a short time later and he saved me in more ways than anyone can imagine.
My life is my own and I made some choices along the way that were not too good, but I do not think anything I ever did was bad enough to deserve the type of treatment I was handed out in that place. I know without a doubt the Barrett's are going to hell for the treatment they handed out to all these girls over the years, and I hope they know it too. I refuse to let what happened to me there dictate the rest of my life.
I welcome anyone to email me or contact me regarding this at
fielding509@hotmail.comMelissa Fielding