Warning: This text comprises an account of sexual abuse.
Kayla Harrison by no means holds again when telling her story of sexual abuse as a result of she desires to present younger victims hope.
“There’s a shiny gold medal on the finish of the tunnel. There’s a UFC belt on the finish of the tunnel – however it’s important to say one thing and we’ve to maintain speaking about it,” says Harrison.
As a baby, Harrison was abused by her judo coach. After her mom reported it to the police, he was arrested, discovered responsible and sentenced to 10 years in jail.
Harrison is a double Olympic gold medallist judoka and two-time Skilled Fighters League (PFL) champion, who has used her standing as one of many world’s finest athletes to raise awareness of child sexual abuse.
In 2018 she wrote a e book with the goal of training dad and mom on the best way to spot indicators {that a} youngster is being groomed to allow them to take preventative motion.
Now, the 34-year-old has her greatest platform to boost consciousness of the problem.
On Saturday she’s going to face fellow American Julianna Pena for the bantamweight title at UFC 316 in Newark, New Jersey.
“I am now not that 10-year-old woman, that 16-year-old woman. I am an grownup now and I really feel god gave me this story for a motive and it is my job to make use of it to make the world a greater place. I need to speak about it,” stated Harrison.
“It is very important me. I do not ever need one other little boy or woman to really feel alone, to really feel soiled, to really feel ashamed. There may be hope.”
