[Ennaira]

Does being molested just once have an impact on the brain and cause mental issues in the future? i was molested by my uncle when i was around 11 yrs old, what he did wasn't that severe but i remember being so confused and traumatized that time. I grew up without a father and he was one of my father figures and looked up to him. I remember crying many times weeks after the incident but i never showed and told my mom. I had a lot of other childhood stress too but i think being molested even just once by someone i loved and trusted is a contributor to why i'm kinda messed up today.

[Ms.Lizette]

I was molested "only" once when I was 9, but it severely messed me up. I did tell my mom but she didn't do anything...... It happened in a time when I was developing sexually, so it messed up my sexuality big time. It took me until I was 27 years old to have a relationship and letting myself be with someone romantically, so it can really mess you up even if it happens just once.

Also grew up without a father...

[Blaire]

I think once is all it takes. Trauma is trauma. And you shouldn't try to judge your feelings based on whether you think the incident was serious enough. It was serious for you, and any amount of that behavior is a profound violation of trust. I'm so sorry that happened to you.

[crimsoncat]

I agree with the others it doesn't matter if it was done time or more it happened and the damage is done x

[nicoleflynn]

I was molested once by a neighbor; grew up without a father (also). One incident of abuse is tramatizing; it was 50 years ago (for me), but yu never forget it. I don't feel messed up, because I was determined to make something of my life; you mightwant to consider therapy to work through all of those feelings. Sadly, it is so common. xo

I read a book once and it said "the body remembers."

I find that writing a letter of restorative justice to the criminal....is empowering...restorative justice says...this is what yu did, this is how it made me feel. The letter is for you.

Yes, what he did WAS severe....it changed your life; but it doesn't define who you are; YOU get to make your life what you want it to be in spite of what happened to you.

[here today]

I was molested once by an uncle when I was 13 and I ran off before it got "serious" but it was clear something like that was what he wanted. I shut down part of myself, because of the confusion,etc., and, yes, it contributed to seriously messing me up.