Watching the documentary on Michael Jackson is a reminder of the full extent of trauma that comes with being molested as a child.
The shame, the guilt, the blame, the fear, the powerlessness, the isolation, the loneliness, the confusion that goes on inside a child's mind have a tremendous impact on their life and their future.
Victims might feel guilty about not having been able to stop the abuse or tell someone about it.
Many victims will never be able to tell anyone what happened to them. They bottle up their feelings and try to hide them deep down.
In many cases, the abusers are the very people that are supposed to look after them. A father, uncle, close friend or other person in a trusted position - which makes it even harder to tell someone about it.
Abused children suffer emotional damage, which can lead to depression, violent behaviour, alcohol or drug abuse and suicidal thoughts later in life. Their self-esteem can be severely damaged, which impacts lots of different areas in their life - from their relationships to their career and their health.
If you have been abused, do not blame yourself. You need to understand that it was not your fault. Talking about what happened to you is not easy, but it is the first step to healing. Reach out to a professional who can help you put your life together again. A professional is non-judgemental, supportive and will help you work through your feelings and thoughts.
Don't suffer in silence! It's never too late. Reach out for help now.