Warning: This article contains a report of sexual abuse.
Kayla Harrison never remains telling her story of sexual abuse because she wants to give hope to young victims.
“There is a brilliant gold medal at the end of the tunnel. There is a UFC belt at the end of the tunnel – but you have to say something and we have to keep talking about it,” says Harrison.
As a child, Harrison was abused by his judo coach. After his mother reported him to the police, he was arrested, considered guilty and sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Harrison is an Olympic Judoka Olympic medalist duo and twice -like Professional League (PFL) champion, who used her status as one of the best athletes in the world to Increase awareness of child sexual abuse.
In 2018, she wrote a book aimed at educating parents on how to identify signs that a child is being prepared to take preventive measures.
Now the 34 -year -old woman has her largest platform to increase awareness on the issue.
On Saturday, she will face American colleague Julianna Pena for the title of Bantamweight at UFC 316 in Newark, New Jersey.
“I’m no longer that 10-year-old girl, that 16-year-old girl. I’m an adult now and I feel that God has given me this story for a reason and it’s my job to use it to make the world a better place. I want to talk about it,” Harrison said.
“It’s important to me. I never want another boy or girl to feel alone, feel dirty, feel ashamed. There is hope.”
