Reader offers a welcome update

Dear Amy: Around two years ago you published a letter from me regarding my maternal grandfather. He sexually abused me from the time I was only 6 years old. I wrote about how my mother never believed me and made up lies to make me look bad.

You encouraged me to contact authorities. Well, I did. My grandfather admitted everything to investigators, saying that he “thought I was enjoying it.”

Fast-forward two years. He got a plea deal in November to one count (and ALL of the other charges were dropped). In January, he was sentenced to six to 18 years in prison.

My so-called “mother” hopes I will wake up some day to see “what I caused,” and that I have nobody to blame but myself.

Amy, thank you for encouraging me to do the right thing, even if it was the hardest thing. I believe I got justice. Never speaking to my “mom” again is just fine with me. — Forever Healing

Dear Healing:

Thank you so very much for getting back in touch. Good for you! I’m relieved that the justice system served you in the way it is supposed to. Sadly, this is not the case for all survivors. Your mother’s reaction is disheartening, but some people simply cannot or will not face the reality that they didn’t protect a victim from the monster in their midst.

I hope you will have continued healing and recovery, along with a family-of-choice that supports your efforts and your healing. Count me — and millions of readers — among them!

Your story, and your willingness to share it, will help other survivors struggling with the painful legacy of sexual abuse.

The National Sexual Assault Hotline offers free and confidential counseling. Call (800) 656-HOPE (4673), or chat with an online counselor at the website: rainn.org.