Apparently, Michelle Madrigal experienced sexual abuse during her youth. This was revealed in her recent Instagram post, where she aims to shed light on the issue despite the possibility of stirring emotions.
Photo: Michelle Madrigal on Instagram
“Those close to me understand that I’m a survivor myself. To be completely transparent, I endured sexual abuse at a tender age for a number of years, a time when my innocence was cruelly taken, leading to a tumultuous adolescence,” she bravely shared. “Unaware that I was experiencing PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), I carried this burden alone until I sought help from a therapist at 20. For nearly a decade, I held onto something that was finally released when I opened up.”
“Understanding my rebellious phase suddenly made sense. Shame and self-blame consumed me for years. I was angry, indifferent, seeking solace in drugs and alcohol to escape the overwhelming emotions, unworthiness, and fear. I often questioned why it happened to me,” Michelle detailed.
View this post on Instagram
By opening up her own experience to the public, she hopes to encourage others who also went through the same thing to “step forward and begin with their healing journey.” This comes following her discovery from conversations with women that 3 out of 5 had apparently encountered some form of sexual abuse.
“My purpose in life is clear: to support survivors,” she declared. “I’ve always yearned to use my voice for a greater cause, and my mission is to help one survivor at a time feel acknowledged and secure, reassuring them that their story is significant.”
Then, she emphasized the importance of this initiative as a mother. “It is my paramount responsibility to educate my daughter about these realities,” she continued. “Past generations often lacked the knowledge or tools to address such issues, often sweeping them under the rug in different cultures.”
Also read: Michelle Madrigal Expresses Joy Over Daughter Anika’s First Day Of School
“Many children don’t feel safe enough to confide in anyone, let alone their parents, about their experiences,” she explained. “I’m determined to change that narrative, to extend a helping hand, and foster an environment where openness and support prevail.”
To conclude her post, Michelle shared information on how people can donate to or call for support from Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN), a US-based anti-sexual violence organization.
View Michelle Madrigal’s full post below:
View this post on Instagram
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