Former child star Tatum O’Neal has shared her tales of sexual abuse.
The actress, famous of being the youngest person to win an Oscar back in 1973 for the film Paper Moon at age ten, has spoken out about her abuse.
O’Neal, whose father is Hollywood legend Ryan O’Neal, took to Instagram to share her story.
“I am a woman and I have been sexually assaulted more than once,” she wrote alongside a childhood photo. “It was not my fault when I was 5, 6, 12, 13, 15 – all by older men who I thought were safe.”
“I rarely have known safety and was always blamed for the assaults and my loudness and curiosity. It’s taken me almost 55 years to know how to advocate for myself.”
“Whether it was 35 years ago to a 75-year-old man at 15, I remember everything.”
Taking aim at President Trump, “To see the president of US.Mock a woman, let alone a sexual assault victim. We’ve sunk to a depth of depravity that I never thought the president of the United States could ever sink to you,” she wrote.
“Let’s, lead with love and kindness and empathy Towards one another. But we, victims the victim of Sexual Assault, or violence, must NOT put down our armor. It’s time to fight for one another and each other in this dark time! America We can do better – we will be better!!”
The mum-of-three admitted that her parents O’Neal and her late mother Joanna Moore played a part.
“When your parents are off getting drunk or high, they are not watching what happens to their children,” the 54-year-old told The Mail on Sunday in an interview published on Sunday, October 7.
She added that she “suffered years of abuse, both emotional and sexual” before saying one of her attackers was a friend of her dad’s and one was a boyfriend of her mum’s who tried to rape her.
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.
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