Childhood sexual abuse is a topic that many find too painful to discuss, yet sharing these stories is a vital part of understanding, healing, and breaking the stigma. Today, we are honored to share the voice of an anonymous adult survivor who courageously recounts his experience.
This story is a reminder that the wounds of abuse can last a lifetime, but so too can the resilience of the human spirit. It’s raw, it’s real, and it offers a deeply personal perspective that may bring comfort to those who feel alone in their pain.
Let this story stand as a beacon of hope for survivors and a call to action for all of us to listen, support, and believe.
This is just one story out of thousands of survivors of childhood sexual abuse; you are not alone:
Abuse! Especially from a trusted relative, when you’re a child, is not something you get over. It’s something you’ve survived, and even though I’m in my seventies now and this offense occurred when I was between 10 and 12; I was a very naive kid.
My offender was a grandfather, who was significantly different than my other grandfather. One grandfather was everything you would want in a grandfather: telling ghost stories by the fireplace, taking me fishing, and just hanging around together. When he passed away, I started spending time with the abusive grandfather. That is when I discovered he was a pedophile, and I didn’t even know the meaning of the word!
I was expecting the same type of love from him; but he was searching for something I really didn’t understand at the time! Looking back nearly 60 years, it’s hard to say the words, “I was raped by my grandfather!”, but there’s no other words to explain it!
After he died, I finally talked with my sisters and my cousins to see if he had done anything to them! They have all indicated that he did not, so perhaps me shutting him down may have put a stop to him. I was the oldest grandchild, so maybe I did stop him!
Even after all these years, I can feel his unwanted approaches; and my courage in fighting him off. Even though it’s not our fault, the guilt of victim hood is a heavy load! And being around him at family gatherings, was always an internal strain!
Years later, I have visited his grave many times, and not all of our conversations are pleasant, but they are always private! When you’ve been wounded and scarred this way, especially as a child; the damage is deep and permanent! Anything can trigger a reminder and trigger the associated emotions. So, give yourself some grace, allow yourself time to grieve, tell your family you need some “ME” time, and go do you, until the bad feelings and bad memories pass. Most of all, remember it was NOT your FAULT!
Anonymous Adult Survivor
