It’s exactly how it sounds! I was sexually abused when I was about 5 and it lasted for a few years, I’m now 26. I never told my parents because I was never told what was happening was wrong. As a child it was a “secret” my parents couldn’t know, or so I was told. When I was old enough to know better I put a stop to it but I kept it to myself until a couple years ago when I told my husband. My parents feel guilty of course for not protecting me. The pain in my dad’s eyes about broke me. I was fully prepared to take this to my grave until I had my daughter and knew I couldn’t have the same thing happen to her.

Now that my parents know I don’t understand why I never told them. They never made me feel unsafe and I have a great relationship with them. I feel so stupid for holding on to it for so long. I’m not sure why I’m posting this, maybe to get some validation or maybe to help someone else.