I’ve been lying to my family for 6 years.

[rose_the_pan]

When I was 8, a terrifying fear came alive. My parents were going through a divorce at the time and it would tear them apart to find out. This was the first step in my adventures that would cease to end. Once my parents spilt was final, another problem arose; my mother would withhold custody from my father if she knew what his brother did to her daughter. She even liked to talk about how “if that man had ever touched you, tell me and I will make sure that I tell your father you’re not going there ever again” she didn’t mean it as a threat to me but I still remember the imminent danger it possessed. I was only 8. Years later and these were the things constantly weighing me down and always at the back of my mind. Then I was 14 and my father sat my sister and I down to talk about why we were so afraid of his brother and that our fear of him was merely a product of my mother’s manipulation. I then broke down and began telling the tale of when my uncle sexually harassed me. He stood up and walked out of the room, no words spoken. We went to my nonno’s funeral that day and later on at the wake, my father pulls me aside and tells me my uncle has a chemical imbalance in his brain, that makes him more sexual but he takes medication for it so it’s under control. This was honestly the excuse he had to say that I had to have been lying. Now, my 2 year old sister that I don’t live with is apparently my uncle’s “favourite niece” and I’m so scared because I know it will happen to her eventually but there’s nothing I can do about it without losing my dad. It breaks me down further and further in so many ways. I don’t know what do anymore.

[Sophie_M]

Hi Rose, 

We're so glad that you have reached out to us today, we can only imagine how much energy and courage it took to do this. 

Please know that there is no excuse for anyone making you uncomfortable or laying a single hand on you under any circumstance. We are so sorry that you have found yourself in this position and want you to know that there is so much support available to you, including here in our safe and supportive online community. 

We would strongly recommend you contact the service at 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) https://www.1800respect.org.au/ for further assistance. 

Another great service that can help you and your sister is Kids Helpline, they're available here https://kidshelpline.com.au/ or by calling 1800 55 1800. 

Keep reaching out to us here and letting us know that you're okay, we've also asked our Support Service to contact you via your email. They're here to help you through and so are we. 


 

[Croix]

Dear Rose~

Sophie has greeted you and given you some good advice on who to contact. I'd like to join her in welcoming you here, I hope you feel safe, we are friendly and understanding. Most of us have been though hard times of one sort or another.

You talk about this situation breaking you down further and further. I'm not in the least surprised. When human beings are faced with circumstances that are impossible this is what happens. One wishes so hard that there was something one could do, and at the same time cannot think of anything. That tears one apart leaving one feeling powerless and guilty.

Wanting to keep going to your dad is perfectly OK, the same as wanting to be with your mum. It is simply beyond your powers as a young person to sort all this horrible situation out. That's why Sophie's suggestions of getting in contact with RESPECT or Kids Help Line is so important. Getting the proper people to help does take a weight off your shoulders and at the same time lets you feel you are doing something positive.

You are a sensitive and caring person, and you have courage, or you would not be here. I hope you find this a place you can always come to.

Croix