Should I keep a secret?

Anonymous

Should I keep a secret?

Sorry if this comes out a bit jumbled. I just wanted a bit of advice on what I should do.
When I was 4 I was raped by a man babysitting me. I told my parents by accident because honestly I didn't know what I was saying. Charges were filed and due to the charges the police laid against him and him pleading out he was only charged with sexual assault and had no conviction recorded meaning he wasn't labelled a sexual offender. We followed through and sued him and the judge apologised to us saying he should have been convicted of rape because he had raped me. The whole process of this completely destroyed my whole family. People couldn't handle to knowledge of what had happened to me and this in turn had a huge effect on me. It wasn't until I started seeing my husband that I had someone I could trust and confide in without being made to feel like I was destroying everyone around me.
About 8 months ago my family competelty fell apart due to drug addicts and my children being put in danger. I put my foot down and refused to have anything to do with anyone who would put my kids in that situation. This actually brought myself and my brother and my extended family closer together. A couple of weeks after my brother came to me and asked me very directly if my great grandfather had ever sexually assaulted me. I knew I had to tell him the truth so I did. I don't know how he knew as the only person I had ever told was my husband. I had been very careful to keep it a secret as I didn't want to hurt everyone around me again. He said he had put a few things together and had a bad feeling about things. I didn't tell him what had happened just that it had happened. Well he has since told a few people such as our birth father (I don't have much of a relationship with him) and I found out the other day that he had told him. I saw so much hurt in him and I just felt terrible that he had to go through this again. I could see how hurt he was that he wasn't able to protect me from this again. I never told people about it because I didn't want them going through it.
The background on my grandfather is that for as long as I can remember he has been raping me and sexually abusing me in just about every way you can imagine. Even under the table when we all ate dinner together or when people where in the next room. On at least one occasion he even took me to his friends house in the middle of no where and had sex with me. It kept happening until I was around 17 and then just reduced to comments here and there mostly because I would just avoid being alone with him. He is very old now and will die soon as he is also very sick.
I have come to terms with everything that happened and there isn't anything I can do to change the past. I don't want this to be something I carry around and let eat away at me. I want to enjoy my life and more forward.
I suppose my question really is do I tell people what's happened? Do I open up about it to friends etc? Or do I just move forward and forget that it happened and just talk to hubby if I need to? I don't want to cause anyone else any pain and I know I can handle moving on without telling people I am just not sure if it's something I should have become common knowledge so people can talk about it and come to terms with it themselves.

Posted in:  Life Lessons, Relationships & Marriage, Mental Health, Self Care, Loss & Grief, Health & Wellbeing

5 Replies

Anonymous

Honestly it's totally up to you but I think secrets cause more harm than good. Secrets are how these people are able to get away with it time and time again. There is always that feeling of things not being quite right and weird but nobody is prepared to admit why. That's just my feelings though. It's your secret to do with what you feel comfortable with but I don't think your really protecting anyone by keeping it.

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Ellie Melissa

I would tell everyone so that when he dies he does alone. Sorry to be so blunt but he's a pedophile and rapist. I'm so sorry this happened to you, please don't blame yourself for how other people reacted

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Anonymous

Why does he deserve you keeping his secret? What about other children he has likely abused?
I'm sorry but this man deserves absolutely NOTHING!
As a victim of child sexual abuse I hold very strong opinions on naming and shaming child rapists! I believe we as a society have a duty of care to all children to name and shame these monsters.
I can promise you, you are NOT his only victim. There are more people who have dealt with his absolute disregard for a child's safety and well being.
You should be screaming from the rooftops til they believe you and give this monster the absolute only this he deserves which is NOTHING!
None of this is your fault at all ever! If people can't handle the truth that is their issue not yours HUGS xoxo

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Anonymous

I think a problem shared is a problem solved. Maybe get counselling n tell them all. Get it off your chest, deal with it , n then move on. Empower yourself with healing instead of holding onto s secret.
I wish you all the very best for your future. You must be an amazing human being xxxxx

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Anonymous

I think I would go to your Grandfathers bedside and tell him that you have told the family everything (even if you don't) I wouldn't want him dying thinking he had gotten away with it!

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