Um.... *tw: incest*

[Dave-W]

I'm eighteen now and my uncle's been in prison for a while (where I'm told he's largely unpopular because apparently they dislike pedophiles there). I'm still in therapy, but I thin my anxiety and PTSD are getting pretty close to a point where they're manageable so long as I have the right medication and therapy; and I'll graduate high school next month.

Congrats on your progress. I have witnessed first hand the devastation that such abuse can cause. My wife endured it as well from age 8 to 12. But I was the first person she ever told; and that was after we were married. (40 years ago) So she never got any help.

 

[Dave-W]

He always told me I deserve it

That is an absolute lie.
But it is a common tactic of pedophiles to keep their victims compliant. Many kids will believe anything a grown-up tells them. (or even a teen ager)

Sorry it's been so long, people.

I am glad we did NOT scare you off.

 

[Bluerose31]

When I was younger (like between the ages of 10-13) one of my uncles used to touch me a lot and forced me to do a lot of sexual stuff with him, including a lot of times when he raped me orally, vaginally and anally.

I haven't seen him for a long time now though, and I'm still seeing a counselor about a lot of it.

I am so sorry you went through this. I pray God will continue to heal you and protect you.

 

[MyGodIsStrongerThanI]

That is an absolute lie.
But it is a common tactic of pedophiles to keep their victims compliant. Many kids will believe anything a grown-up tells them. (or even a teen ager)

You're right on the money there. A lot of people--too many, in truth--will keep things a secret because an adult told them to.

I think a big part of it is that in a large chunk of the cases involving sexual abuse (I believe it may even be a majority due to the stranger danger stuff kids get taught now), it's done by a family member. When there's such a massive betrayal of trust committed by a family member, a lot of kids' first reaction will be to keep it a secret because, after all, if someone they're supposed to trust will do that to them, they're going to be less inclined to trust anyone else.