Expertise:  It is very hard to come out and talk about a family member violating you. When I was very young I was molested by my father. I have gone through and continue to go through the effect this has had on me and my family. My mother is in full support, my middle sister refuses to believe it and thinks I was confused and my eldest sister believes me but continues to speak to our father.

The abuse has had a huge impact on my relationships with men. I have had to work through trying to mix sex and love. I had a huge fear of intimacy for many years. I have gone to counseling for approximately one year and have read various self help books for sexual abuse survivors. It’s been a slow process but I can finally see some light at the end of the tunnel. This is not to say I am completely healed though. I don't know if that will ever happen.

Try not to take to hard is when you do come forward and people don't believe you. They may think you are lying and doing it for attention. Just understand some people can’t deal with things like this and have to tell themselves its not true. They can’t imagine this person they think so highly of doing something so bad; but they do, it happens everyday. You have to learn to work through it and you will be a stronger, better, more compassionate person in the end.

Experience in the area
I was molested by my father and continue to deal with the fact not all of of my family believes me. It is hard for me as this is my family. I have to remember that regardless of my experience my sisters do share the father I do and deal with things the best way they can.