Pat's Answer

I was sexually assaulted when I was 5

Your Question

I don’t know what to do. When I was around age 5 I was touched in my private part. Obviously people call this rape. I was young I didn’t know what it was so i kept silent now it’s biting me back and I feel super uncomfortable. The perso who did this to me was my best friends brother. I feel super embrassed about this to tell my parents And i can’t bring myself to tell them. The Person who did this lives in the same estate as me and I feel like if i tell someone I will ruin my relationship with my best friend. Please Help me

Answer

Hello, you are very welcome to Ask Pat,  

Thank you so much for trusting us with your thoughts and feelings. We know it can be difficult, but we also know how great it is for young people to share their problems. Talking about and sharing what is going on for you is a big step forward. 

You say that at age 5 you were sexually abused and now that you understand more about what happened to you, you are feeling uncomfortable and embarrassed to tell your parents. The person that did this to you, your best friends brother, lives in the same estate as you. You are also worried if you tell someone about what he did to you, you may ruin your relationship with your best friend. You’re asking for help. 

We are so sorry about what you went through, and that you are going through this right now. You are very brave to get in touch and to look for the help and support that you deserve. No one has the right to harm you or hurt you sexually, physically, mentally, or emotionally. Your feelings are understandable, and you have the right to talk about what has happened and how you are feeling. Your parents have a responsibility to look after you, to care for you and to listen to you. Maybe it would be easier to talk to somebody that you do not know first. You are not alone on this journey. The Childline Team are here for you and we would love to chat to you more about what is going on for you. You can reach out to talk or chat to us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our services are free and confidential. You can talk to us by phone 1800 66 66 66 or chat to us one-to-one on our webchat at www.childline.ie  or by text at 50101. We will not judge anything you say to us nor will we tell you what to do. We will look at what options may be available to you, with you. You have done a great job at telling us about your experience.

There are organisations that might be of help to you such as: www.cari.ie/ and www.yourmentalhealth.ie. The websites may be of some support to you, and will explain how you can get in touch with them. The Childline website also has some information and articles you may find helpful: www.childline.ie/how-i-feel/; www.childline.ie/home-and-families/; www.childline.ie/bullying-abuse-safety-and-your-rights/.   

It is really important for your mental health and well-being that you do get the support you need and that you know what happened to you is not your fault.  

You have the right to get the help and support you deserve. Childline is here for you when you are ready to contact us.   

We hope to hear from you soon. Take care,   

Pat 

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