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Why can't I tell my parents that I was sexually abused?

13 Answers
Last Updated: 01/15/2019 at 3:22pm
1 Tip to Feel Better
United Kingdom
Moderated by

Tanyia Hughes, Adv Dip Psy

Psychotherapist

I have been through a lot in life too, which helps me to be able to empathize with situations, thoughts and feelings that we have. Sometimes, it's not easy just being human.

Top Rated Answers
Anonymous
December 22nd, 2015 10:25am
I couldn't tell my parents I was sexually abused because it was my brother who they admired so much.
Anonymous
June 2nd, 2015 5:37am
I can't tell my mom that I was sexually abused because my dad did it and it would break my family a part.
ArtChoosestheArtist
March 4th, 2015 4:07am
Sometimes we feel ashamed when someone hurts us, we think it is our fault. When we think we've done something wrong, then we have a hard time telling our parents about it. However, when someone sexually abuses us, it is not our fault, and it is okay to tell our parents. Fear is another thing that can hold us back from talking about what happened. I have found writing letters to speak my truth a helpful way to move past the fear, and to help me tell someone what happened to me.
keys88
February 10th, 2016 3:24am
It will make it real. It will hurt them. They will look at you differently. You think they will stop loving you.
Anonymous
December 27th, 2015 5:58pm
You can't tell them because it is hard for you, and you are afraid that they are going to blame you for not telling them before, you have to tell them. Those who are sexually abused or assaulted should talk to someone because those people especially have a hard time coping. Your parents love you and they are here in this world to protect and love you no matter what, you have to tell them, they are always here for you
Anonymous
June 18th, 2018 8:38am
It is extremely hard to talk about sexual assault, and sexual abuse. I am so sorry that happened to you. You are never forced to tell anyone anything, please keep that in mind. You will tell someone you trust first. In my personal experience, I never told my parents. Even though I have an amazing relationship with my mother. For me, I can't tell my mother because I don't want her to hurt. I feel like maybe you are feeling like you just aren't ready to be possibly told that it was your fault. There's so much going on these days, I wouldn't want to tell anyone either.
wonderfulSunrise85
February 8th, 2016 4:05am
Because you are ashamed. You don't want them to know what you experienced because it will bring them and you discomfort.
LunaRose
April 4th, 2015 9:44pm
Sexual abuse can be very embarrassing, degrading and frightening for a victim, amd this makes it hard to talk about- especially to the people who us well. You also may be nervous to how they will react. Try confiding in somebody else who can help you tell somebody responsible.
Shikaa
April 8th, 2015 5:23pm
Maybe because you don't have a very close relationship with your parents or because you're worried that they'll blame you for it. Remember that your parents will understand you and love you no matter what.
Anonymous
January 15th, 2019 3:22pm
Your probably just too scared but you need to tell them otherwise things will just get worse and not better do you have any body to talk to and does any body else know what happened to you? I'm here to support you fully and help you if you need it is there anything else that is bothering you right now Because you need to tell someone it's not good to just hold it all in because you might get overwhelmed Go and talk to you parents and come back to me when you are ready Goodbye . . . . . .
Brandon1
July 13th, 2015 12:50am
You might feel ashamed that this happened to you.Being threatened by the abuser might also be another factor.
Anonymous
November 20th, 2017 3:09am
It can be hard to tell your'e parents this information. Break to them slowly. They will understand and give you advice.
humorousZebra6258
September 17th, 2015 8:40pm
There are many reasons, as you may know and read here, why you don't feel comfortable to tell parents about sexual abuse. It is especially complicated when the abuser is a parent. From my experience as a child, there was so much fear, guilt and confusion. As an adult there is shame, disgust, protectiveness of the other parent. It wasn't until I looked at my own young daughter that I was realized that I was no more responsible then my daughter would have been. A person needs to tell to protect themselves and others, only then can the healing begin.