Hi all, I am new here. I've seen some of the wonderful responses you've given others so I'm hoping that maybe some fellow survivors could give me their opinion.

I was molested by an older cousin from the time I was about 5 until 11 or 12. I have suppressed it until November of 08 when I finally came clean to my boyfriend as it was causing a lot of intimacy issues. I have been seeing my therapist again in order to deal with the issue. I'm feeling stronger every day, emotionally. However, I am very very close with my family. The cousin that did this has been in the military far far away for some time, but is back home now, so I know I will be seeing him at least once every month or so. My boyfriend hates the guy and does not wish to be in the same room as him. My quandry is - I feel like my family should know why I am not thrilled that he's home. I feel like they should know why my boyfriend is walking out of family events.

Have any of you told your family after years of abuse? How do you go about it? Is it very "Intervention"-esque? My family is usually very supportive of me, and I know they're very proud as I've overcome a lot of emotional hurdles over the years (was hospitalized in 04 for depression/suicide attempts, etc) and have done very well for myself living on my own. However, there is still the fear that they will not believe me, or if they do, that it will devastate the family. I don't wish revenge upon the cousin, though I am angry. It's not like I want him to be banished from the family or hated, though it could be the outcome. I'm very scared of the repercussions.
So, if you have told your family of your abuse after several years, what is the preparation for it? And do you think I should?

Thanks so much for the insight.