Emma Thompson Reveals Child Abuse, Was Kissed By ‘Elderly Pervert’

Sometimes, when a celebrity has a high profiled image, there are secrets that can be hard to hide from the public. For writer-actor Emma Thompson, she’s decided to let a big secret go for an important cause. Thompson recently revealed that she endured child abuse and was kissed by a pervert elderly magician at her own party at a young age. Thompson felt so strongly about her childhood experience that she decided to write a handbook on sex and emotion for children.

Although the incident happened 45 years ago, the thought of it still makes Thompson’s skin crawl. Thompson recounts the events that lead up to the horrific incident:

“My parents brought him to the house for my party. He was an old man with grey hair. And he took me behind a door and said, ‘Would you like a sweetie?’ I said, ‘Oh, yes please,’ but I had a funny feeling. He gave me the sweet and said, ‘Will you give me a kiss?’ and I said yes.”

Thompson continued:

“So I went up to kiss him on the cheek and he planted his mouth on mine, stuck his tongue in my mouth and wiggled it about. I thought it was my fault – children always think it’s their fault.”

So, why has Emma Thompson revealed this story now? According to UK’s Mirror, it’s all for a greater cause, her book, which illustrates the perils children go through, especially today with the rise of social media. Thompson admitted that her handbook on sex and emotion is mainly for her 13-year-old daughter Gaia.

The world has obviously changed since Thompson’s eighth birthday, and now more than ever, the sexualization of children can be done on someone’s iPhone. Thompson weighed in on this issue, having said:

“There are so many more pressures. The sort of sexual questions being put to young kids is horrifying to me, but that’s what’s out there – boys and girls watching pornography, boys showing girls hardcore porn on their iPhones.”

Thompson explained that adults need to step up in a big way to guide children, while giving them space:

“I’m in a constant state of anxiety but I know these kids have to negotiate these thickets by themselves. We can only help by listening, being aware, [and] by not turning away.”

While it’s not known when her guide will be available, we do know when you can see Emma Thompson next. Thompson will be seen on the big screen in Saving Mr. Banks, which hits theaters on December 20.

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