Trigger warning: sexual abuse
Matapang na ibinahagi ni Michelle Madrigal na naging biktima siya ng sexual abuse sa murang edad.
Ito ay inilabas ng dating aktres sa Instagram noong December 29, 2023.
Ilang taon daw niyang dinanas ang pang-aabuso.
Hindi niya idinetalye kung sino ang gumawa nito at kung ano ang eksaktong edad niya nang nangyayari iyon, pero malinaw at matalino niyang inilahad ang kuwento.
"Those close to me understand that I'm a survivor myself.
"To be completely transparent, I endured sexual abuse at a tender age for a number of years, a time when my innocence was cruelly taken, leading to a tumultous adolescence."
Hindi raw lubusang naintindihan ni Michelle ang epekto ng pang-aabusong dinanas niya noon.
Kaya raw naging outlet niya ang bisyo.
Lahad ni Michelle: "Unaware that I was experiencing PTSD [post-traumatic stress disorder], I carried this burden alone until I sought help from a therapist at 20.
"For nearly a decade, I held onto something that was finally released when I opened up.
"Understanding my rebellious phase suddenly made sense. Shame and self-blame consumed me for years.
"I was angry, indifferent, seeking solace in drugs and alcohol to escape the overwhelming emotions, unworthiness, and fear.
"I often questioned why it happened to me."
Ang mapait na karanasan sa murang edad, pati na rin ang mga sugat na dala ng mga dinanas na pagsubok sa buhay, ang hinarap ni Michelle.
Ibinahagi ni Michelle na malaking tulong sa kanya ang pagiging bahagi ng isang community na naiintindihan ang kanyang pinagdaanan.
"But here I am today, praying and seeking guidance from GOD on how best to serve others.
"I aim to use my voice and experiences to empower others to step forward and begin their healing journey.
"This year, in conversations with women, I was astonished to find that 3 out of 5 had encountered some form of sexual abuse.
"My purpose in life is clear: to support survivors. I've always yearned to use my voice for a greater cause, and my mission is to help one survivor at a time feel acknowledged and secure, reassuring them that their story is significant."
Si Michelle ay may anim-na-taong-gulang na anak, si Anika, sa ex-husband na si Troy Woolfolk.
Read: Michelle Madrigal opens up about reasons that led to her heartbreaking divorce
Gusto raw niyang protektahan ang anak sa pamamagitan ng tamang paggabay dito.
"As a mother, it is my paramount responsibility to educate my daughter about these realities.
"Past generations often lacked the knowledge or tools to address such issues, often sweeping them under the rug in different cultures.
"Many children don't feel safe to confide to anyone, let alone their parents, about their experiences.
"I'm determined to change that narrative, to extend a helping hand, and foster an environment where openness and support prevail."
Kaugnay nito, hinikayat ni Michelle ang kanyang IG followers na suportahan ang RAINN o Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network.
Ayon sa website ng RAINN, ito ay isang U.S.-based anti-sexual violence organization.
Layunin nitong sumaklolo sa mga biktima ng sexual abuse at magbigay ng karampatang tulong sa mga ito.
Ibinahagi rin ni Michelle ang hotline numbers ng organisasyon.
Sa Pilipinas, ang Philippine National Police's Women and Children Protection Desk ang direktang nangangasiwa sa mga insidenteng may kinalaman sa gender-based abuse, harassment, and violence.
Maaari ring humingi ng tulong sa Barangay Violence Against Women and Their Children Desk sa tanggapan ng bawat barangay.
Ang Philippine Commission on Women, sa tulong ng Inter-Agency Council on Violence Against Women and their Children (IACVAWC), ay nagbibigay ng referral services sa mga babaeng biktima o survivor ng pang-aabuso.
Narito ang hotline numbers para sa mga sumusunod na ahensya na maaaring makapagbigay ng police at legal assistance:
POLICE/INVESTIGATION ASSISTANCE
National Emergency Hotline: 911
Aleng Pulis Hotline: 0919 777 7377
PNP Women and Children Protection Center
24/7 AVAWCD Office: (02) 8532-6690
Email address: wcpc_pnp@yahoo.com / wcpc_vawcd@yahoo.com / avawcd.wcpc@pnp.gov.ph
LEGAL ASSISTANCE
Public Attorney’s Office (PAO)
Hotline: (02) 8929-9436 local 106, 107, or 159 (local “0” for operator)
Email address: pao_executive@yahoo.com
REFERRAL SERVICES
Inter-Agency Council on Violence Against Women and their Children (IACVAWC)Website: www.iacvawc.gov.phEmail: iacvawc@pcw.gov.phContact numbers: (02) 8735-1654 local 124, 09178671907, 09454558121