Jessica Simpson has discussed the sexual abuse she endured as a child with her children: ‘We are very open’
Jessica Simpson says she is “very open” about the sexual abuse she endured with her children as a young girl.
Simpson, 40, appeared on Good Morning America Thursday and said she decided to tell her daughter Maxwell about the abuse after being approached by a fan during a signing session, who said she was inspired to seek therapy after reading about her experience in her memoir, Open Book.
Maxwell happened to be with her at the time and the singer decided to stop the event to tell her what had happened.
‘It’s something we’re very open about’: Jessica Simpson has spoken of the sexual abuse she endured at the hands of a family friend with her children
“A woman came up to me and she was crying and had her daughter with her and she said,“ What you went through as a kid, you know, it really encouraged me to talk to my therapist and be open with my family. about it, “she said.” And Maxwell was like, ‘Mom, what is she talking about?’
“And so I held the line of signatures, and I thought,” I think this is the time I’m going to tell my daughter about it here in Times Square. “
‘But it was a perfect moment because she saw how open and honest with your feelings and how you can inspire people that way … how honesty is really moving and how it can change people’s lives and she saw Mom did that , ‘she said. “She went home and started keeping a journal … she’s been writing in her journal ever since.”
Simspon also said her children have read some of her memoirs.
Relocated: Simpson, 40, decided to tell her daughter Maxwell about the abuse after being approached by a fan during a book signing, who said she was inspired to seek therapy after reading about her experience in her memoir, Open Book
‘I’m going to talk to my daughter about it here in Times Square’: Simpson remembered what went through her mind when she decided to share her abuse story with Maxwell
“They read some of it,” she said. ‘There is nothing that is off limits. We are very open as a family. For me, when I talk about sexual abuse and stuff, that’s what happened to me when I was younger than them and the age they are. So it is something that we are very open about. ‘
Simpson revealed in her Open Book memoir that a family friend’s daughter sexually assaulted her when she was six years old.
The singer kept the abuse a secret for years and she didn’t tell her parents until six years after it started.
Family affairs: Simpson shares daughters Maxwell, eight, Birdie, two, and son Ace Knute, seven, with husband Eric Johnson
After bringing up her story in her memoirs, Simpson says she has heard from other women who have gone through similar experiences.
“The feeling is overwhelming, beautiful and humble at the same time,” she told People. ‘I decided to write the book in the hope that I could help someone who feels overwhelmed by life, has to read their way through all the hidden places, and not feel alone with their pain.
“It is written to someone who knows there is more for them in this life, but only needs encouragement to get through the difficult things with compassion.”
“The personal offers of courage, resilience, and hope that people have entrusted to me over the past year have meant more to me than they will ever know,” she said.
‘The stories have reintroduced me to my ambition as a leader. The hearts and faces behind those stories will stay with me for the rest of my life. ‘
Come forward: After coming forward with her story in her memoir, Simpson says she has heard of other women who have undergone similar experiences