NATIONAL NEWS - She survived years of rape and molestation at the hands of family members, drug addiction, jail, kidnapping, forced prostitution and finally robbery and gang rape.
But, Chanel (surname withheld) (26) says she overcame her past, forgave the unforgivable and now lives free.
‘I am not ashamed of what happened anymore. I tell my story, so others may know you can rebuild your life and be happy again.
‘I was molested and groomed for bigger things by a family member since I was six.
‘It started by playing with dolls and then ‘keeping a secret’.
‘I was first raped at nine years old.
‘My mom took me to the psychologist but the person who did it to me, went with, so I never said anything.
‘After my parents divorced, we moved from Richards Bay to Johannesburg, but the abuse continued, this time by another family member.
‘When I was 13, I finally told one friend and then my mom, who went to the police.
