The Darkest Secret

Man that's tough. I'm glad she shared. I know her focus is abuse of girls, but I think it's important to note that it's not just girls. As an 13 year old boy I was very nearly molested by a trusted adult and I fought back, told my mom, who told others and he lost the job that gave him access to me, otherwise I'm sure I'd have been yet another victim in the string of this man's conquests, and of course many of those same feelings. Thankfully today I don't feel like a victim, but it's so easy for girls _and_ boys to be one. The light of day should be shown on all of this and hell rained down on the perpetrators.

I know just what you went through, my children also experienced abuse, its important to speak out against it and I think it took great courage to step forward,as you did, thank you for sharing

I can say that this has happened to me when I was younger, by my best freind. Later I learned I was the first and that he had done it to many many other girls, he has merely got a slap on the wrist, because on afew girls complained and simply said he harassed them, he did alot worse then just "harasse" me but at the time I was to afriad to speak up, and I still am

I too was abused as a little girl by my fathers best friend .I actually told on him and noone believed me. This story makes me fearful for the lives of others he may have destroyed or still is destroying .And makes me wonder if I shouldn't have done something later in life (I was 5 when it happened) Teri you are a brave woman ....thank you !!!!!

Teri Hatcher is a successful, stunningly beautiful woman. To outsiders I think she seems to have the perfect type of life - riches, beauty, success, acclaim. However, this article shows she is and has been very vulnerable and hurting even whilst enjoying worldwide fame and celebrity. It is clear to me that it would have been much easier in that Hollywood circus world she is successful in to just keep quiet. I think the courage she has shown with this article now makes her a role model to many women, young and old and from all backgrounds, who have had similar shattering experiences, to come forward however late on in life and accuse these monsters and to never give up seeking healing. As a mother, it has also helped me to be aware of how much my small daughter really needs my protection. So for that, thankyou Teri Hatcher. Any tabloids making a sensationalist meal of this should be shamed and denounced in very high circles.

I am sorry for these things.
A child should be happy.
I want to cry.

I commend you, your courage - and your anger. Without both of those assets I doubt that you would have been able to help bring your uncle to justice. And once you knew that you weren't going to be instant tabloid fodder due to your uncle's case, how easy it would have been to leave it there.

Taking the next giant leap, as you did, was certainly a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" proposition. As a highly visible entertainment personality the tabloid grinder awaited, but that same visibility gives you far more access - now and future - to the media than the vast majority of other victims with similar stories. With that built in advantage you can more easily, (at least in terms of access), make a difference, and probably already have.

Would you have been able to take these steps without the years of competent - and expensive - professional help that you mention? I certainly can't say, but it's obviously an opportunity that the vast majority of victims don't have. For you, and all the others you can reach, I'd say that was time and money well spent.

Thank you.

P.S. I don't know when this article was first posted, but I'm struck that this is only the second comment, compared to the long list attached to some other articles. It's also rather ironic to note the active button in each post that states "Report Abuse"...

I commend you, your courage - and your anger. Without both of those assets I doubt that you would have been able to help bring your uncle to justice. And once you knew that you weren't going to be instant tabloid fodder due to your uncle's case, how easy it would have been to leave it there.

Taking the next giant leap, as you did, was certainly a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" proposition. As a highly visible entertainment personality the tabloid grinder awaited, but that same visibility gives you far more access - now and future - to the media than the vast majority of other victims with similar stories. With that built in advantage you can more easily, (at least in terms of access), make a difference, and probably already have.

Would you have been able to take these steps without the years of competent - and expensive - professional help that you mention? I certainly can't say, but it's obviously an opportunity that the vast majority of victims don't have. For you, and all the others you can reach, I'd say that was time and money well spent.

Thank you.

P.S. I don't know when this article was first posted, but I'm struck that this is only the second comment, compared to the long list attached to some other articles. It's also rather ironic to note the active button in each post that states "Report Abuse"...

good morning I am of France I have just read which his a past during your life you were tr??s audacious.l admire you. my heart and with you , I am of France good courage of kathy