Teri Hatcher Addresses The UN With Emotional Speech About Sexual Abuse

Teri Hatcher, known for her role on Desperate Housewives and as Lois in the television series, Lois & Clark, addressed the UN on November 25 about the sexual abuse that she horribly experienced as a young child by her uncle. Abuse that, as ET Canada reports, Hatcher kept silenced about until she found the strength to come forward at the age of 18.

Hatcher gave the emotionally charged speech during the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women in New York. The conference was in part intended to help launch the Orange Your Neighborhood initiative, an initiative which was developed via the UNITE campaign by UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon.

View Teri Hatcher speaking at the UN conference.

Hatcher’s words were vulnerable and heartfelt. The Daily Telegraph shares the words expressed by the star, which clearly indicate how her anguish over the abusive events still continues to plague her years after they took place.

“I am one of three women, who for the rest of her life battles the voice in her head that accepts blame for abuse, a voice that is antithetical to self-esteem, self-worth and happiness.This is a statistic that has to change. I am one in three and I will be the one who yells from the rooftops until those numbers change. Until every woman who has faced abuse feels less alone and safe enough to find the courage to have her own voice. Until violence against women is no longer a part of any woman’s story, silence will not be a part of mine.”

Hatcher finally came forward with the secret of the abuse by way of a journal that she gave to her parents at the age of 18.

Teri described their reaction, stating, “My mother and father had suspected something had happened, but they were just burdened by their own confusing anger and helplessness that they were paralyzed into their own silence.”

The silence remained for another 20 years until finally Teri was brought to speak after hearing of a suicide of an 11-year-old girl who took her own life after being abused by Hatcher’s uncle.

ET Canada recounts Hatcher’s words, stating, “In a suicide note, she implicated my uncle, who had been sexually abusing her for years. I was shocked and devastated and overwhelmed by the idea that he had continued his abuse.”

Hatcher finally broke her silence and came forward about the abuse she suffered at the hands of her uncle so many years earlier. In doing so, she helped to convict him. Hatcher’s uncle remained in prison until death. However, Teri communicates that although it is a relief that he can not bring anymore harm to other young girls, the scars will remain with her and additional victims.

She added, “I am simply one of three women who is forced to accept violence as a part of their life story.”

So grateful to be part of this amazing & important cause. @UN_Women @SayNO_UNiTE #16days #orangeurhood pic.twitter.com/3GIED8U2ys

— Teri Hatcher (@HatchingChange) November 25, 2014

The speech was met with a standing ovation. Hatcher helped to kick off a 16-day movement aiming to end violence against women internationally, and played a pertinent role by inspiring those who are suffering to break the silence.

[Image courtesy of Yahoo]