Author of the book The Girl In The Cupboard, Cheryl Ann Gajadhar said she believes authorities were pushing the topic of abuse “under the rug”.Gajadhar said publishing an account of the sexual abuse she experienced at the age of five was a way of helping those who were experiencing a similar ordeal. She said her life was transformed at the age of ten when she became a Christian.“To me authorities push the topic of abuse under the rug. I don’t know if they believe it is a dirty word to talk about. I think that social workers need to get more involved in the lives of our children. It is hard to point out a paedophile and there are so many walking around. “The book has been a therapy for me and I believe it is working many other people too. As a survivor, I speak for children and adults who are hurting and may be in the same situation I was in,” said the Trinidadian. The book is about the life of Gajadhar as a child growing up, who was sexually abused at the age of five and later taken to a children’s home where she would continually lock herself in an empty cupboard.Along with the book, which is ideal for youngsters age 10 and up, there is also a CD and a workbook. The Girl In The Cupboard was published in 2008 while the workbook was launched in March this year. “The book has a CD inside of it with the song No More Cupboards meaning no more abuse. It goes with the book and there is also a workbook. The workbook speaks about anger management, family life issues and bringing up children. “It also has mind games and quizzes. It helps to bring awareness to any form of abuse,” noted the inspirational speaker. Gajadhar, who is in her 30s, also teaches religion in two primary schools in Trinidad. Her book, which is available throughout Trinidad and Tobago, can be found at Days bookstore, Cloisters, Things Gospel and is also being sold in Grenada, Surinam and the United States.According to Gajadhar, The Girl In The Cupboard not only speaks about sexual abuse but also poverty and other forms of abuse she endured. She said her inspiration for writing the book came from God. (MM)
