Personally, I have been a victim of attempted rape/molestation when I was 12. The perpetuator wasn’t any of my family members, but the incident did happen at my house. The emotional burden of it weighed down me for many years and the turmoil to confide in my friends was even heavier. I can never imagine myself telling my family about this.

I only managed to walk out of the headspace in the recent 2 years and the response from them were mixed - they were relieved that i have finally shared yet at the same time, extremely sad they weren’t there for me and that it even happened. And these were the exact sentiments that tied me down to me not share, however, this sharing is needed for victims.

When the recent trials of domestic sexual cases surfaced, it was heartbreaking to know that the loved ones are as helpless and afraid as the victims. Could you imagine the guilt, shame and doubt the mothers of the victims go through? They know the delicacy of every move from when they first know about the abuse/rape - the gravity of the entire family’s future is in their hands.