DEAR ABBY: I was raped by a family member and, due to special circumstances, I did not tell anyone except one other family member, to whom I was sworn to secrecy. She recently got mad at me because of my religious beliefs, and now she says that if I die before her, she’s going to tell my adult children who attacked me.
I pray she said it out of anger, but I’m afraid because I know my children would harm, if not kill, the rapist for what he did. I don’t understand why this family member would say something like that. What can I say or do to protect my secret? God has provided for me and my offender is now locked up for other reasons. — FEAR IN THE WEST
DEAR FEAR: When you told your relative about your rape, it was no longer a secret. Since you are now afraid that she will tell your children, you can approach her saying that if she continues, you are afraid that they will take revenge after he is released and ruin their own lives as a result.
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Dear Abby was written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or PO Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.