But, Chanel (surname withheld) (26) says she overcame her past, forgave the unforgivable and now lives free.
‘I am not ashamed of what happened anymore. I tell my story, so others may know you can rebuild your life and be happy again.
‘I was molested and groomed for bigger things by a family member since I was six.
‘It started by playing with dolls and then ‘keeping a secret’.
‘I was first raped at nine years old.
‘My mom took me to the psychologist but the person who did it to me, went with, so I never said anything.
‘After my parents divorced, we moved from Richards Bay to Johannesburg, but the abuse continued, this time by another family member.
‘When I was 13, I finally told one friend and then my mom, who went to the police.
