Hui Peng, a victim of an abusive relationship, after couple of years being silent, she decided to break that silence by talking about her sexual assault experience. Now, she constantly participates in our Children and Youth Program to do child care when there is a need. In her free time, she also participates in our art group to do craft for the purpose of women’s economic empowerment.
“When I was 14 years old, I was raped by my father and uncle at home back in China. My mother didn’t even try to listen and protect me because of Chinese patriarchy system, father figure is deeply embedded in our value which prevents us to disobey him or do anything against him. I was brought up in such system which values male and belittles female.
I was being neglected all the time at home. All my family member claimed that I have learning disability, and disparaged me in many ways. My right was violated, I could not set up goals for my life, make decisions, or fight for my needs in the family.
After moved to the States, I broke my silence by telling my experience to a school teacher, and immediately got New York City’s Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) intervened in my case, and moved out of home and placed at a foster care until I turned 18 years old, then got transferred out to homeless shelter.
I was extremely uncomfortable to live at the shelter due to its complex environment, and was easily seduced and tricked by men both physically and verbally. My relationships with men had been promiscuous. I was constantly being sexual assaulted by them.
I came to Garden of Hope for shelter service in 2016. GOH gave me all support I needed at the time – trainings, support groups, financial assistance, and all kinds of social activities. For the first time in my life, I found a sense of belonging. And most importantly I am valued.
I developed my interest in stitching, such as cross stitch, a traditional Chinese stitch, which makes me calm and ease. I finished the training of home aid service, and got a job as a caregiver. Also, in my spare time, I help Children and Youth Program to do child care for GOH events.
*Personal identifying information are changed to protect survivor privacy and confidentiality
Hui Peng, 26, is a victim and survivor of sexual assault by her family members. In 2016, we filed the lawsuit on behalf of Hui Peng against her abusers. But the case was dismissed as not having critical and sufficient evidence to accuse them. She suffers from minor mental disability, Developmental Delay, which is a common mental health symptom among victims of sexual assault, which is more likely for them to stay at the ages when being sexually assaulted. Targeting on teenagers who have experienced sexual assault, our Children and Youth Program provides individual and group counselling for them, using developmentally-appropriate methods including talking, playing, and various art therapies. We found cross stitch art therapy especially effective in making victims calm and focused. Our goal is to eliminate rage and irrational thoughts due to trauma, and lead them to love and hope. In addition, Hui Peng is a talented artist, she has expertise in craft and cross stitch. One of her art works was sold at our Gala for $10000 USD dollars in 2017.
