At five years old, Shelly-Anne began experiencing sexual abuse. When she spoke up about what happened to her, no one believed her, and she felt that she had lost her voice. In middle school, she was introduced to pornography, and soon after was sexually abused by a family member. After moving to another state, Shelly-Anne began struggling with a pornography addiction, partying, and began having thoughts of suicide and self-harm. At a church mental-health night, Shelly-Anne opened up about her struggles, and someone suggested she apply to Mercy.
At Mercy, she was able to begin healing from her past trauma and learn the principles that allowed her to walk out in freedom and maintain it. After she left Mercy, Shelly-Anne got married, and shared Mercy with a friend who was also able to find Christ during her time there.
