WNBA star Breanna Stewart shared her story of sexual abuse at the hands of a family friend in an essay published in the Players Tribune on Monday.
Stewart said that she was abused for two years at a relative's home where she sometimes spent the night, finally telling her parents about the abuse when she was 11, the essay in the Players Tribune detailed.
The abuse ended when she told her parents about it, and the man, a construction worker who lived in the relative's house, was arrested and confessed to molesting her. Although Stewart wrote that she doesn't often talk about her feelings and that it made her uncomfortable to talk about the abuse, she also said she felt "unburdened" by talking about it.
She said she doesn't remember everything that happened after the abuse became known, but she wants to help others to know that they aren't alone and that they should talk to someone if they are currently being abused.
The essay, titled, "Me Too," came out of the recent #MeToo movement on social media meant to bring attention to the problem of harassment and sexual abuse, ESPN reported.
Stewart said she was moved to come forward after Makala Maroney said she had been abused by the USA Gymnastics team doctor, Larry Nassar, who has been accused by more than 100 women and girls of sexual assault, The Washington Post reported.
Twitter users praised Stewart for her bravery and courage in making the story public.