Strong survivor

Felicia Villegas triumphed over evil and emerged a fighter.
Felicia Villegas and her children. Photo: Jennifer Brett, jbrett@ajc.com

Credit: Jennifer Brett, jbrett@ajc.com

Credit: Jennifer Brett, jbrett@ajc.com

Felicia Villegas and her children. Photo: Jennifer Brett, jbrett@ajc.com

"The first time I remember something happening was right after my fourth birthday. I was wearing blue jean overalls, Mary Jane shoes and a pink shirt. He took me in a room and touched me.

"It wasn’t anything major until I was 9. I was on the bed. He was like 300 pounds. I screamed because it hurt. He choked me until I passed out. When I woke up he showed me a knife and said he would murder my whole family if I ever said anything.

"He would tell me, ‘This is God’s will.’ He would tell me he owned me.

"It caused me to not believe in God. I was like, I’m being abused. There can’t be a God if this is happening.

"It was wrong of me to say that about God. It wasn’t fair. God chooses His strongest warriors to fight His biggest battles."

Click here to get the whole story in a vibrant, immersive and easy-to-read format, including a video interview with Felicia Villegas.