Hollywood star actress, Angela Bassett who recently hosted the Rape Foundation’s annual brunch has opened up about being sexually violated by her mother’s boyfriend when she was just a child.

Recounting the sexual molestation she experienced as a child during the October 6 event, the Oscar-nominated actress stressed the power in being believed as a victim. Speaking to reporters before her host duties, she revealed that she woke up to find a man her mother was dating fondling her while she was asleep.

“Fortunately, it wasn’t a complete assault, it was fondling, but it was devastating enough for a child who’s 12 or 13,” she said.

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The 61-year-old mother of two added that she is thankful to have had a supportive mother who believed her and ended the relationship when she reported to her what had happened. She added:

“Thankfully, to have a mother who could tell as soon as light broke that this happened and for her to expel him [meant a lot]. 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.”

Bassett who is a mother to teenage twins, Bronwyn and Slater Vance said she and her husband now make sure to teach their sons about consent and respecting boundaries. She said:

“I started that early because of experiences with friends and I know that they will be in situations one day,” she said. “When a girl says no, both to him and to her, she means no.You just want them to be aware. They’ll be in situations one day, and when a girl says no, both to him and to her, she means no.”

Bassett starred in the Oscar award-winning film, Black Panthers which set a number of records and is considered an iconic film for many Blacks.

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