Hello, welcome and thank you for visiting the 1in6 website.
For a long time, I looked for a group or organization that shared my passion and my hope that those who have been abused can be freed from the pain and shame they feel and go on to lead happy, full lives with true and loving relationships. In my eyes, 1in6 is this organization.
For years the pain, shame and confusion resulting from my abuse cast a dark shadow, affecting every aspect of my life, especially relationships. Meeting my beautiful wife Jaimee was a huge wakeup call to me. Although I had started work on myself, our relationship has really helped me to see which negative behaviors and beliefs I was still holding onto. Most important, this relationship has given me a safe and loving environment in which to heal.
Like Greg LeMond and everyone working with 1in6, I too believe that early adulthood is a critical time to address the issues around childhood sexual experiences. Thanks to a fair share of hard work and the love, patience and understanding from my wife and groups like 1in6, I can firmly say that I no longer feel shame and guilt from my abuse. I am empowered by the fact that, like you, I should and do feel good about who I am and have a greater appreciation for what is good in life.
It is my hope that you use the 1in6 website as a tool to address the issues that you feel you need to, and that you do so at your own pace.
When I first meet Aaron, he was 22 years old and a young man struggling with life but determined to change this for himself. I had only known Aaron a few hours when he told me about his abuse. I was shocked at the extent of the abuse and a bit apprehensive because, as a social worker, I knew how this can affect people and the work it takes to move past it.
I supported Aaron in his pursuit of justice and helped him decide to seek counseling. He achieved success in both. It was an intense time, and much of the work and processing of what had happened to him we did together. This put a big strain on our relationship and contributed to our brief breakup. However, that time apart afforded us an opportunity to reflect and to put things in perspective, and we reunited to begin our family.
Having children was a big turning point for us. It drove Aaron to keep addressing the issues, so he could be emotionally available to me and the children. Our intentions toward each other and as parents became our focus, and as the years passed Aaron’s abuse gradually faded into the background. In so many ways Aaron has grown and become stronger as a man. He is no longer the man I first met – scared, needy and stuck in a pattern of self-sabotage – but is a strong, confident man who has stepped up to the challenges in his life and to the responsibilities that men have in this world. It has been a truly inspiring transformation, and one in which I am proud to have been a part of.
Thank you for visiting the 1in6 website. I hope you find the resources and support that you are looking for, and that life’s path leads you to the joy that I believe we all deserve.
Kindest Regards,
Aaron & Jaimee Gilmore