Episode 2
Catharsis
Karen’s abuse began at age 5 on Santa’s lap in a Department store when Father Christmas sexually assaulted her.
Her abuse at the hands of her father in the family home started not long after. Unrelenting sexual, physical, emotional and psychological abuse over many years. Under everyone’s nose, at anytime, anywhere, day or night. With no locked doors, no protection, no safety. Her childhood innocence lost in a moment.
Her mother, herself a victim of her husband’s control and violence was silenced out of fear and dread with nowhere to go, no one to turn to. She was completely dependent on her husband.
Karen was blamed for ruining her marriage, the family and her life. Her parents threatened suicide if she dared speak out or go to the Police. When she told her brothers at 17, she was met with stony silence with no support. Her grandmother threatened her with disgrace to the family name. She was ostracized, punished and never protected. Without support she became a target by adult abusers who preyed upon her. Karen was conditioned to obey, never say no and to trust implicitly.
Decades later, still without justice or her day in court, Karen breaks her silence to expose her truth and help others. 85% of child sexual abuse happens within the family yet it remains the last taboo.
She speaks out for the countless silenced survivors to shatter denial, smash the ‘stranger danger‘ myth and demand society finally see, hear, believe and protect children.
Home is where they should feel safe and free from harm.
Survivor story-teller: Karen Righton and Narrator: Jess Hill
Jess Hill | Journalist, Author & Speaker
Jess Hill is a journalist, author and speaker who focuses primarily on social issues and gendered violence. Jess started her career almost 15 years ago as a producer for ABC Radio, went on to become a Middle East correspondent for The Global Mail, and then an investigative journalist for Background Briefing. Her reporting has won two Walkley awards, an Amnesty International award and three Our Watch awards. Jess's first book, SEE WHAT YOU MADE ME DO, on the phenomenon of domestic abuse and coercive control, was released in 2019 and was awarded the 2020 Stella Prize.
In 2021, it was adapted into a series on SBS. Recent projects include a podcast series on coercive control and patriarchy called The Trap, and a Quarterly Essay on how #MeToo has changed Australia, titled 'The Reckoning'. Since the book was released, Jess has spoken at almost 300 public events about coercive control, and regularly conducts training and education for groups as diverse as magistrates, high school students, workplaces and local councils.