If you were sexually abused as a child, being afraid to tell anyone is a common response—not a sign you did anything wrong. This page explains how to choose a safe person, what to say, and where to seek confidential support in Pakistan.
I am asking for help because I was sexually abused when I was young by people I knew, and I have carried guilt and fear in silence. I am now struggling with severe overthinking, anxiety, and possible depression, but I am too scared to tell anyone.
It takes an enormous amount of strength to even say what happened to you, and it makes complete sense that you are scared to tell anyone. What you went through as a child was not your fault — not then, not now, and not ever. The fear of how people might react, of being judged, or of breaking your family's peace is very real, especially in our society where these things are often swept under the carpet. You are not alone in feeling this way, and there are safe ways to begin speaking about it without having to face the whole world at once.
When abuse happens in childhood, the shame and confusion often get turned inward. You may have been told to forget it, or that it was your fault, or you may worry about what log kahenge if the truth comes out. Many people carry this alone for years because they are afraid of hurting their family or of not being believed. That fear is not a weakness — it is a sign of how much you care about the people around you. But carrying this alone is also exhausting, and you deserve support that does not add more weight to your shoulders.
You do not have to tell everyone at once. Start with one safe person — maybe a friend you trust deeply, a teacher you respect, or a confidential helpline where you can just talk without giving your name. Writing it down first can also help you sort out your own thoughts before saying it out loud. If you have access to a mental health professional, they are trained to handle this with care and privacy, and they will not push you to do anything you are not ready for. The most important thing is that you choose who to tell, and when — nobody else gets to decide that for you.
You may be worried that telling a family member will cause a crisis — and sometimes it does, especially in families where mental health and abuse are not discussed openly. If that is your situation, you might consider talking to someone outside the family first, like a counsellor or a helpline, so that you have support in place before any difficult conversations happen. You are not betraying your family by seeking help for yourself. Healing what was done to you does not mean blaming anyone else — it means giving yourself the chance to live without that fear every day.
If you ever want to talk about this, Zara from our team is here to listen. You don't have to carry this alone.
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