My name is Dan, I am here to, hopefully, get some feedback on my situation. I am 45, and between the ages of 4 (maybe earlier) and 12 I was molested on a regular basis by my down's syndrome male cousin. About 100 times. Family members stayed quiet about it in order to protect this cousin, and I was confused and feared for my safety. Hopefully I can get some info from others who were abused by a down's person. Maybe I am one in a million, who knows? I know, this is probably a weird one, but I have very people to share this info.

Well let me welcome you brother. You are at a great site for victims of sexual abuse. We all try to help each other. I hope you get as much out of this site as I have. Once again, welcome. Feel free to dive right on in as you feel comfortable

Welcome Dan,

I have no experience with the Down's Syndrome aspect of your abuser, but there will be many common experiences and feelings you'll find among the members here. Read as many posts as you can handle. Don't overdo. And post more on your feelings and experiences as you feel the need. You will have our 100% support always.

Gary

Here's a truth for you. Abuse is abuse, regardless of the gender, age, or mental capacity of the abuser.

I'm sorry you've been hurt and sorry your family failed to take care of you as they should have. They had a responsibility to protect you and didn't.

Take it moment by moment, one step at a time. You only need to share what you feel you want to share and nothing more. It's your recovery, you're in control.

You'll find many here who can relate to being abused by cousins and family members, and even many who had family defend their abuser over taking care of them.

Wow, thanks for all the kind words, I was not expecting that.
Dan

Dan - you will appreciate this community more and more if you get involved. i have come to really rely upon the support, kindness and wisdom of my brothers here. i wish the people i deal with in my world every day were half as generous and giving.
Welcome!
Lee

Though my situation is different in that he wasn't diagnosed with Downs Syndrome, I was sexually abused by my male cousin too-- it's really hard to talk about it but it's even gotten easier in the last day at least. Hopefully someone will be able to help you here too. I've been typing with replying to this myself but I figure maybe it's good to talk about a cousin/cousin situation eve if I can't match the DS discussion.

You can talk to me if you want