Rebekah Vardy claims her mother didn't believe her when she was molested aged 12 as she discusses tackling misconceptions around sexual abuse
Rebekah Vardy discussed her heartbreaking experience of childhood sexual abuse during an appearance on Wednesday's episode of This Morning.
The WAG, who is married to England footballer Jamie Vardy, appeared on the ITV show to discuss the misconceptions surrounding victims of sexual abuse, following the airing of the Leaving Neverland documentary.
The model, 37, who went public with her story in 2016, claimed that her mother didn't believe her when she revealed the three-year-long abuse. starting at the age of 12, which turned her into a 'tearaway' child.
Harrowing: Rebekah Vardy discussed her heartbreaking experience of childhood sexual abuse during an appearance on Wednesday's episode of This Morning
She said: 'I went public in 2016. I think for me around that point it was just before Jamie and I were about to get married. A lot of untrue things were said about me.
'I thought there's a reason I did the things I did when I was a tearaway child and drinking.
'I didn't see there was a pattern of things happening when I was younger. I wanted people to understand I went through a lot in my childhood and made mistakes.
Host Philip Schofield responded: 'The abuse happened over three years. You did tell your dad who encouraged you to go to the police.'
Candid: The WAG, who is married to England footballer Jamie Vardy, appeared on the ITV show to discuss the misconceptions surrounding victims of sexual abuse, following the airing of the Leaving Neverland documentary
Discussing the misconception surrounding not reporting the abuse sooner - after Michael Jackson accusers James Safechuck and Wade Robson faced criticism over the same - Rebekah said she feared no-one believing her story.
She said: 'To begin with it was the fear of being judged by not being believed. I did tell my dad and we did go to the police.
'I didn't know what to do myself. I was made to feel it was my fault. I got into such a state, I withdrew my statement over the sheer fear of no one believing me.
Phil responded: 'You spoke to you mum and got very bad reaction, which contributed to you withdrawing your statement.'
Childhood trauma: The model, 37, who went public with her story in 2016, claimed that her mother didn't believe her when she revealed the three-year-long abuse. starting at the age of 12, which turned her into a 'tearaway' child
Rebekah, who is estranged from her mother, said: 'My mum and dad split up when we were young. I was back and forwards between two parents. I didn't want to be the cause of anymore friction. I felt so bad about it I just said OK and then went AWOL.'
The star added that when she developed post-natal depression, she was encouraged to seek help.
Rebekah said: 'I have learnt at a young age to suppress my emotions. When I had post-natal depression it became too much. I have children, I have to do something. I don't want them to see mum falling apart'.
Agreeing with Phil that it was an 'extra layer of betrayal' that her mum didn't believe her, she said: 'It's incomprehensible. I really suppress how I feel and if I think about it become too much I become really angry and bitter.
Brave: The star said her father had encouraged her to go the police but that her mother didn't believe her, leading her to withdraw her statement
'I find it so difficult to understand how a mother can disbelieve a child, irrespective of if a child has issues or has become a tearaway.'
'After I had my little boy I had a lot of CBT therapy and it helped me close that Pandora's box and lose the face of the abuse.
'If I think about it now it becomes a character and it helps separate my life today. Some days I really do struggle there are sometimes I think "I want to make this person suffer".'
Phil said: 'What you're doing being here will be an incredible help to some people. This abuser will be terrified.'
Rebekah said: 'I don't think that's the case. There is a part of me that feels guilty because I didn't carry on with the case. A part of me thinks he has got away with it.'
The star has previously spoken about the abuse, saying: 'In my early teens, I experienced numerous unpleasant incidents.
'It was someone pretty close to my family, I had conversations with numerous members of my family about it.
'I got persuaded not to take it any further. I made quite a few bad mistakes when I was growing up, which I now link back to that.
'I was troubled child, I didn't know what direction to take, but it's really important that I came through it.'
For help and support please call the NSPCC 24 Hour Child Protection Helpline on 0808 800 5000.
You can contact Childline for free confidential support and advice, 24 hours a day on 0800 1111
Fear: Discussing the misconception surrounding not reporting the abuse sooner - after Michael Jackson accusers James Safechuck and Wade Robson faced criticism over the same - Rebekah said she feared no-one believing her story
