Abused siblings want to speak out
Dear Amy: My siblings recently disclosed that our mother subjected them to sexual, mental and physical abuse.
As a child, I was subjected to physical and mental abuse at her hand, but I had always assumed that I was the sole focus of my mother's ire.
I moved out of the house the day after high school graduation.
I no longer have any contact with her.
One of my siblings has informed me that after I left home, and without me there as a focal point, my mother turned her abuse toward my siblings.
The worst of the abuse involved two of my sisters, who were sexually assaulted by friends of my mother's.
My mother knew about and condoned this. No one ever went to the police.
Hearing that my mother's behavior escalated after I left home causes me great guilt for not having been there for them when they were children.
I am at a loss for the next steps to take.
One of my sisters has come to me for help with recovering from the trauma of her childhood. I've thought about talking with the police. However, the assaults were over 30 years ago, and the statute of limitations has long passed.
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