Local woman details sexual abuse she suffered as a child in trio of books
Katey Weaver has turned the helplessness she felt as a child victim of sexual abuse into a position of power as an adult.
Not to mention a fledgling writing career.
The 2007 Mansfield St. Peter's graduate has self-published three books in the last 10 months. She describes herself as an advocate for victims.
"I was home with all three kids," Weaver said of the COVID-19 pandemic. "I've had a love of writing."
Weaver said she shares "my whole life" with TikTok followers, who number nearly 180,000. They encouraged her to write a book.
She detailed her story.
"As a little girl, I was abused by a family member," Weaver said.
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She said the abuse started at age 5 and continued for seven years. Weaver said the perpetrator was never charged in her case, but he was convicted of a similar crime with another victim.
He has since died.
Sexual abuse affected author for years
Weaver said the sexual abuse has affected her for years. She began drinking at age 11.
"I was a horrific alcoholic," she said, adding she stopped drinking when she became pregnant at 22. "I struggled with mental health issues all my life, depression and anxiety."
Now married with three children of her own, Weaver said she's "the mom who does background checks on my kids' teachers." She also doesn't allow her children to go on sleepovers.
Weaver's first book, published in July, was called "Enola," which is backwards for alone. The book details the early days of abuse.
She published "Enola" without anyone editing it.
"I never let anyone else read it (before publishing)," Weaver said. "It was raw. I wanted it the way it was. I just poured it all out, some I never spoke of."
Her second book, "Wet Letter," was published around Thanksgiving. It is based on a 17-page letter Weaver's mother wrote for a St. Peter's retreat her senior year in high school. Parents wrote about their individual children for the exercise.
"I'm not sure she knew it was going to be read in front of everybody," Weaver said.
The letter was in a chest in her mother's basement, which flooded, hence the title.
Weaver said she has heard from many women who were victims of sexual abuse. She coached a girls soccer team with 12 players. Seven of their mothers said they could relate to what Weaver wrote.
Current book debuted recently
Her current book is called "Enola Handicap?" It came out April 24.
"Generational sexual abuse ran through my family," Weaver said. "I didn't stop the cycle. My abuser was a child when he started abusing me."
One of the other victims was a second cousin of Weaver who is now deceased. Weaver said she wrote the book by imagining her cousin's point of view.
Weaver already has planned her fourth book. It will be based on an electronic journal her grandmother gave her in 1995. She returned the journal to Weaver on Easter Sunday.
"I feel like I am in a lengthy journey that has really just begun," Weaver said.
Her books are popular on Amazon Kindle. The current book costs $9.99, while the other two are available for $6.99.
Weaver said she is happy now and divides her time between caring for her children and maintaining her social media.
She has no plans to stop writing anytime soon.
"It's a message that needs to be sent," Weaver said. "You can't heal in silence."
mcaudill@gannett.com
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Twitter: @MNJCaudill
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Mansfield St. Peter's graduate recounts sexual abuse in trio of books
