Angela Bassett Opens Up About Being Sexually Violated As A Child

Hollywood star Angela Bassett has opened up about her experience of being sexually violated when she was just a child.

The disclosure came as Bassett hosted Rape Foundation’s annual brunch.

The Waiting To Exhale actress revealed that the molestation was at the hands of her mother’s boyfriend, who she says fondled her breasts while she was sleeping. She woke up mid-assault.

“Fortunately, it wasn’t a complete assault, it was fondling, but it was devastating enough for a child who’s 12 or 13,” Bassett told reporters per Variety.

Bassett added, “Thankfully, to have a mother who could tell as soon as light broke that this happened and for her to expel him. That she heard me, believed me, and did something about it, I think was so empowering for me as a young teen, as a young woman.”

As a result, she says she taught her children about boundaries when it comes to physical touching from as early as two years old.

“I started that early because of experiences with friends and I know that they will be in situations one day. When a girl says no, both to him and to her, she means no. Back up. She has to say come here, kiss me.”