Arizona Sheriff Paul Babeu, a Shining Star

Over the years, I have freely shared my personal story of recovery from childhood sexual abuse. I have seen a wide range of reactions when I first tell people about my past history. Many are shocked and horrified at first. Following the shocked reaction, the next realization is that I seem to be living a very good life and that they would never have suspected I came from such a dark and twisted past. To live well is truly the best "revenge".

I would like to share another story of survival with you. This time, a male survivor of childhood sexual abuse at the hands of a priest. The Pinal County (AZ) sheriff, Paul Babeu, had just finished speaking to a gathering at the Scottsdale Rotary Club when he was interviewed by John Hook of My Fox Phoenix.

Mr. Hook fully expected the interview to be mostly about Sheriff Babeu's passion, border patrol; however, he was quite stunned when the conversation turned to the sheriff's acknowledgment of childhood sexual abuse, which began at the age of 11 and continued for several years.

This life changing event in Sheriff Paul Babeu's life brought him to his current position as Sheriff of Pinal County, Arizona. Having been violated by a person who was in power over him, Paul Babeu knew he wanted his life to make a difference. He wanted to show others that people in power don't always harm, abuse and misuse those who are in a relationship of trust.

Along with his accomplishment of serving as Pinal County Sheriff, Paul Babeu has also studied history and political science, earned a Master's Degree and served his country in Iraq. To say that Paul Babeu is an aggressive, passionate person, would be a huge understatement.

One thing he learned about being in a position of leadership is that leaders need to really listen and not hear only what they want to hear, but the whole of the story.

Children learn early in life that grow-ups don't pay much attention to them. If a child tells about the abuse, many times he is not heard or his story is not believed and the child is dismissed as a story-teller. Many people just don't want to hear about sexual abuse.

Abused children grow up and then, as survivors, there are decisions to make. How will we live our lives? Will we be forever the victim or will we seek the help and healing we need for our wounds in order to move forward with our lives. Making a decision to really live well is the greatest way to overcome sexual abuse. It breaks the power that the abuser has held over your life. It frees you to make right choices and it also frees you to speak about your past in order to help other survivors along the pathway of recovery.

What does Paul Babeu do with his past history of childhood sexual abuse? "You take it and use it as a motivating force and try to add good to this world and that's what I've tried to do."

What a wonderful example is Sheriff Paul Babeu. He is a man of sensitivity, passion and boldness, and I can't wait to see what other choices he will make in his life as he continues to "add good to this world".

Sources:
http://www.protect.org

http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/dpp/news/only_on_fox/revealing-interview-with-paul-babeu-3-2-2011