No one believes I was assaulted by my stepfather as a child

DEAR DEIDRE: I WAS abused by my stepfather as a child, but I’m yet to be taken seriously. From the age of 14 to 16, he would come into my room most nights to molest me. It only stopped when I moved out after leaving school. I finally found the courage to tell my mum […]

DEAR DEIDRE: I WAS abused by my stepfather as a child, but I’m yet to be taken seriously.

From the age of 14 to 16, he would come into my room most nights to molest me.

It only stopped when I moved out after leaving school.

I finally found the courage to tell my mum when I was 19 – she and my stepdad had split, so there was little risk of him manipulating her.

But she denied it before I’d even finished the first sentence and called me delusional.

She cut ties with me and we haven’t had any contact for almost ten years.

I tried the police, but they said there wasn’t enough evidence and I wouldn’t have much of a case.

I’m now almost 30 and feel this has affected my entire life. I have few friendships because I don’t trust anyone.

DEIDRE SAYS: It was very brave of you to try and report this person, but the lack of justice probably means you’ve struggled to get any closure, which is so important for survivors of sexual abuse.

Approach napac.org.uk (0808 801 0331) who offer free, confidential support to those abused as children.

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