ANTHONY EDWARDS ACTOR HOW TO

ANTHONY EDWARDS ACTOR HOW TO

Right now, there are people who have witnessed this kind of abuse but donвЂ™t know how to help. Right now, there are children and adults who want to talk. Secrecy, shame and fear are the tools of abuse, and it is only by breaking the stigma of childhood sexual abuse that we can heal, change attitudes, and create safer environments for our children. One in six men have an abusive sexual experience before they turn 18. Most importantly, IвЂ™ve learned that IвЂ™m not alone. IвЂ™ve learned a lot in these last four years. By processing my anger in a safe place with a professional, I was finally able to have the conversation that I wish I could have had with my mom when I was 14. At 51 years old, I was directed by a group of loving friends to a therapist who specializes in this kind of abuse. I say temporary because when Goddard appeared in the press four years ago for alleged sexual abuse, my rage resurfaced. He swore to his remorse and said that he had gotten help. I was able to express myВ outrage at what he had done. 22 years ago, I happened to run into Gary Goddard at an airport. Shame can thrive easily when we are isolated, but it loses its power when people come together to share their common experiences. I have been so fortunate to have had access to therapy and fellow survivors. For far too many years, I held onto the idea that love was conditionalвЂЉ-вЂЉand so I would look for someone or something other than my higher self to define those conditions and requirements for me. Only after I was able to separate my experience, process it, and put it in its place could I accept this truth: My abuse may always be with me, but it does not own me.

The resulting damage to the emotional development of a child is deep and unforgivable. Abusers will often use the word вЂњloveвЂќ to define their horrific actions, which constitutes a totalВ betrayal of trust. The use of fear to control and manipulate can be both obvious and subtle. Abusers are successful when they keep control of that little worldвЂЉ-вЂЉa world that is based on fear. The victims are required to play by the abuserвЂ™s rules, or else they are вЂњoutвЂќвЂЉ-вЂЉbanished from the only world they know.

With their sick form of control, abusers exploit a childвЂ™s natural desire to bond. Why? One of the most tragic effects of sexual abuse in children is that the victims often feel deeply responsibleвЂЉ-вЂЉas if it is somehow their fault. I was molested by Goddard, my best friend was raped by himвЂЉ-вЂЉand this went on for years. Everyone has the need to bond, and I was no exception. My father, who suffered from undiagnosed PTSD from WWII, was not emotionally available. He taught me about the value of acting, respect for friendship, and the importance of studying. I met Goddard when I was 12, and he quickly became a dominant force in my life. To face that truth was not an option as my sense of self was completely enmeshed in my gang of five friends who were all led by this sick father figure. I denied it through tears of complete panic. When I was 14 years old, my mother opened the door for me to answer honestly about the rumors she had heard about Gary GoddardвЂЉ-вЂЉwho was my mentor, teacher and friendвЂЉ-вЂЉbeing a pedophile.

Anthony edwards actor