What a poor thing. Nobody should have to go through something this awful and scarring, let alone at such a young age.
Dancing With The Stars castmember Cheryl Burke recently revealed that during her childhood, she was the victim of sexual abuse at the hands of a retired mailman who would help out with repairs around her house, and sometimes even pick her up from school.
The man was later sent to prison for 20 years after he attempted to assault her stepsister, and Burke was forced to testify against him in court - and at the age of six!
She explains:
"It was lots of touching. He would pull my pants down in his van or he would touch me in the living room while [her caregiver] Ima was in the kitchen cooking. That was the scariest moment of my life. I felt disgusted with myself for the longest time. I knew what he did was wrong, but I wanted this older man's affection. It creeps me out. My worst nightmare is to run into him. Not until he dies will I be able not to worry."
It makes us sick to think of what horrible things people are capable of doing, and to children!
And it's normal to feel responsible or even confused about your feelings were toward him, but we're glad that you realize now that what that man gave you was NOT affection. He took advantage of and violated a little girl, and we are so proud of you for being able to come above all of the trauma that you endured and be as successful as you are!
So brave of you to speak out about this - we're sure it's still very difficult.
Hopefully your courage will inspire other victims to speak out against their abusers, or at least seek out the help they need to come to terms with what has happened to them.
Stay strong.
[Image via WENN.]
Tags: brave, castmember, cheryl burke, courage, dancing with the stars, mailman, molestation, sexual abuse, sexual assault, victim
