Former Desperate Housewives and Lois & Clark actress, Teri Hatcher, has penned an open letter to President Trump, urging him to understand the devastating impact of s**ual assault.
In the letter, which she shared on social media, Hatcher bravely recalls her own experience of being s**ually abused by her uncle, Richard Hayes Stone, when she was just five years old.
Hatcher provides a detailed account of the assault, vividly describing what occurred and how it made her feel.
She then proceeds to highlight what she does not remember, emphasizing that gaps in memory do not negate the reality of the trauma.
This powerful message is aimed directly at President Trump, who recently mocked Christine Blasey Ford, one of Brett Kavanaugh’s accusers, during a rally in Mississippi.
The actress, who herself survived s**ual assault and played a crucial role in convicting her abuser many years later, is determined to make Trump understand the complexities of such traumatic memories.
Hatcher concludes her letter by imploring the president not to add further insult to the injury experienced by s**ual assault survivors.
While Hatcher does not explicitly mention it in her post, she played a pivotal role in securing the conviction of her abuser, Richard Hayes Stone, who passed away in prison in 2008 at the age of 70.
The suicide note left by Sarah Van Cleemput, another victim of Stone’s abuse, led Hatcher to come forward with her own account after reading about the case in a newspaper.
Her testimony proved instrumental in securing Stone’s 2002 conviction.
Speaking openly about her childhood assault in a 2006 interview with Vanity Fair, Hatcher revealed the complexity of dealing with such trauma.
As a child, she remained silent about the abuse, allowing it to continue for several years until a breaking point was reached.
Although her mother sensed something was wrong and removed her from the situation, no discussions about the abuse took place.
Hatcher expressed that her parents’ way of coping was through denial and guilt, leaving her to blame herself for what had occurred.
Sharing her story as a public figure, Hatcher also faced the added fear of potential media scrutiny and the possibility of being portrayed negatively.
Nevertheless, she prioritized justice for other victims over any personal consequences.
Hatcher’s bravery in coming forward shed light on the often complex dynamics surrounding childhood assault and showcased the importance of speaking out.
Teri Hatcher’s open letter serves not only as a plea to President Trump but also as a powerful reminder of the resilience and strength exhibited by survivors of s**ual assault.
Her willingness to share her own painful experiences continues to inspire others to break their silence, ultimately contributing to a collective effort to eradicate s**ual violence and support survivors.
