From the age of 13, Destinee Mack was violently sexually assaulted by former Pastor Deon Ray Rivers. Finding strength in her voice, Destinee found the courage to speak up against her abuser and now stands as a champion for victims and survivors of sexual assault.
In 2016, Destinee Mack was an impressionable 13-years-old when her family met Deon Ray Rivers (age 54 at the time) through their church in Pasadena. Mr. Rivers served as the assistant pastor and eventually took over as the head pastor. In a gross abuse of power, Rivers used his position of authority and influence in the church to groom both Destinee and her family into trusting him, assuming a father-figure role in Destinee’s life and eventually adopting the title as her godfather.
For the next two years, Mr. Rivers continued to sexually assault Destinee, using force and a vulgar perversion of religious beliefs to commit crimes of sexual assault and pedophilia. Mr. Rivers would greatly manipulate scripture and threaten that he knew influential people who would harm Destinee should she report what he was doing to her.
“At first, I was scared to come out or say anything about it; I didn’t know if people would believe me. He’s a man of God, he goes to church…when you’re in it [the abuse], you really do feel alone.”
– Destinee Mack
Destinee recounts a time she decided to come forward about the abuse, but when Mr. Rivers heard this, he held Destinee down, placing a gun to her head and threatening to kill her if she said anything.
Eventually, Destinee found the courage to speak up against her abuser despite the terrorizing tactics Mr. Rivers performed. This young woman showed she would not allow the abusive manipulation of her faith to continue.
Unfortunately, Mr. Rivers was not the only person who wished for Destinee to be silenced. According to Destinee’s mother, Ursula Mack, members of the church and her community would send Destinee threatening messages saying “snitches get stitches” and harass her aggressively for coming forward about the abuse. People loyal to Mr. Rivers’ reached out to Ursula and Destinee, asking them not to tell anyone about the molestation.
“As soon as I spoke out, I wasn’t his victim anymore.”
– Destinee Mack
Thankfully, with the help of Destinee’s fiercely loving mother, Ursula, Destinee was able to spread the message of her abuse. When Destinee came forward and told her mother what was happening behind closed doors with Mr. Rivers, Ursula quickly made flyers and posted them all over the church. Her daughter and granddaughter went to local liquor stores, gas stations and posted on Facebook to make sure the community knew about Mr. Rivers and his pedophilic perversions.
“If you are with God, you know what God is for- what is lovely, what is pure, what is just. God is love. God is not about hurting kids,” said Ursula when asked about her reaction to the abuse. “How are you going to take God’s word and turn it to hide your [Mr. Rivers] secrets? Don’t play with my God or me. My daughter rose victorious in her situation; she is not the victim of it, and she is going to help others.”
Ursula also shares her appreciation for the lead detective in the case, Detective Nicole Alvarez. “Nicole Alvarez did her job. She listened to me and comforted me. Ms. Alvarez told me it would take time, but we will get him,” Ursula recounts. “Let me tell you about my God; they got him. San Bernardino is no joke. They did their jobs.”
Destinee is now committed to helping others in similar situations. As a vibrant senior in high school, she is actively using her voice to raise awareness on issues of sexual assault. Since she came forward, Destinee has found new strength. She is now in a happy relationship with a man who loves her immensely as they raise their new baby together. Destinee is hopeful for the future as she plans to attend university and continue her advocacy work with her family and friends’ love and support.
“I am glad that I came forward because it showed me that I can trust the police and the other people involved. They didn’t make me feel like a liar…Everything I went through in my past, it was for a reason. I am at peace now. I can finally breathe. I feel like a million bricks have been lifted off of me…I feel free.”
– Destinee Mack
Though Destinee is only 18 years old, she now uses her voice to provide light to others who have found themselves in similar situations. Since she came forward, Destinee now has the opportunity to speak to other members of her community who once feared speaking up against their abusers. Destinee and her mother Ursula also run a non-profit organization, DESTINED, that “empowers victims to have peace within through justice while creating a safe space for them to thrive,” said Ursula.
On February 2, 2021, Mr. Rivers, a pedophile, and sexual predator, was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison for the crimes he committed against Destinee. Thank you to the deputy district attorneys and law enforcement personnel for giving justice to Destinee and her family.
USE YOUR VOICE
Does Destinee’s story sound like your own situation or someone you know? If so, help is available, and is only a phone call or click away. If you are in a situation that may quickly get worse, please call 911.
If you need resources, you can always reach out to one of our victim advocates by clicking on the yellow and blue chat bubble at the bottom of each page of our website or by connecting with the organizations linked below:
NATIONAL WOMEN’S COALITION AGAINST VIOLENCE & EXPLOITATION
NWCAVE helps to inform, educate and prevent violence and exploitation against women and children nationally and internationally. Whether human trafficking, domestic violence, sexual assault, sexual violence, stalking, bullying, hate crimes, and all other forms of violence and exploitation against women and children, NWCAVE strives to keep the public informed and educated on how we can live in a more civilized society free of violence.
General: (360) 852-8019
NATIONAL SEXUAL ASSAULT HOTLINE (RAINN)
RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) is the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization. RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline in partnership with more than 1,000 local sexual assault service providers across the country and operates the DoD Safe Helpline for the Department of Defense. RAINN also carries out programs to prevent sexual violence, help survivors, and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.
Hotline: 800-656-4673
PROJECT SISTER
Educational and prevention services to sexual assault victims in eastern Los Angeles and western San Bernardino County.
Rape Crisis Hotline: (800) 445-1326
Child Abuse Hotline: (626) 966-4155
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If you would like to speak with one of our victim advocates about your options and more resources, click on the yellow and blue chat icon on the bottom right of our website.