Podcast summary
Episode 10 In conversation with Nicole
Nicole was sexually abused by her grandfather when she was a child. She reported to the police fairly recently and got a conviction, her grandfather then being very old.
Janet and Nicole talk about their experiences of the emotional abuse that they experienced from their family when they spoke out. The effects of this emotional abuse are often minimised.
Janet was side-lined by her family, to the extent of not letting her know about her mum dying.
Nicole’s family were unable to support her in the ways she needed and she decided that she had to choose to be apart from her family, rather than be a part of it.
They talk about their feelings about their parents. Janet talks about sending her father a copy of the book by Eve Ensler, “The apology“, partly in the vain hope that her father might finally acknowledge that he had hurt her so badly.
Nicole is now very content that she made the decision to be apart from her family, seeing it as a positive choice. As Nicole says, child molesters are hated by society, except when the person is a part of the family, or you know who they are.
Being excluded from your family can feel very isolating but you are not alone. Staying away from a dysfunctional family can be a positive, healthy choice.
Nicole’s blog is called, “Swept under the carpet“.
The journey to recovery from child sexual abuse or any other form of abuse, is long and painful. However you choose to find support and help on that journey, it is worth it. There is hope for recovery.
Thank you for listening.
