Latina Singer, Gloria Estefan, Advocates for Child Protection Measures After Recently Talking About Her Personal Encounter with Abuse 

Latina Singer, Gloria Estefan, Advocates for Child Protection Measures After Recently Talking About Her Personal Encounter with Abuse 
Ms. Gloria Estefan, Grammy Award-Winning Singer, speaks after receiving the Distinguished Artist Leadership Award during the Atlantic CouncilÕs Distinguished Leadership Awards dinner in Washington, D.C., May 10, 2018. The awards also recognized former U.S. President George W. Bush, U.S. Army Gen. U.S. Army Gen. Curtis M. Scaparrotti, Commander of U.S. European Command and Supreme Allied Commander, Europe; and Mr. Howard Schultz, Executive Chairman of Starbucks Corporation; for embodying the pillars of the transatlantic relationship for their achievement in the fields of politics, military, business, humanitarian, and artistic leadership. (DoD Photo by U.S. Army Sgt. James K. McCann)

TW: Sexual Abuse 

In a recent interview for the Life Stories documentary series The Thread, Gloria Estefan, the celebrated eight-time Grammy-winning Latina singer, courageously opened up about her experience of sexual abuse at the tender age of 9 by a family member. 

Reflecting on the traumatic incident, Estefan described her abuser as “a predator of the worst kind,” shedding light on the emotional turmoil she endured during her formative years. 

The abuse began innocently enough, with Estefan spending time with her abuser to pursue her passion for music, attending classical guitar lessons at her father’s cousin’s music school. 

Despite the distressing nature of the abuse, it took Estefan a full year to summon the courage to confide in her mother about the ordeal. She attributed her reluctance to speak out to fear, fearing the irreversible consequences of confronting her abuser. 

The weight of her silence took a toll on Estefan, leading to immense stress and anxiety, manifested in hair loss and a reluctance to attend classes, which she now recognizes as clear signs of the abuse she was enduring. 

During the interview, Estefan shared invaluable insights into preventive measures parents could take to safeguard their children from similar experiences, emphasizing the importance of open communication and empowering kids to speak up. 

Estefan’s journey of healing and advocacy began with her disclosure of the abuse during an episode of Red Table Talk: The Estefans in 2021, where she was joined by her niece and daughter. It was there that she, too, offered a message of resilience and hope to survivors everywhere. 

Gloria Estefan Provides Parenting Advice

Reflecting on her past trauma, Estefan warned against the insidious nature of abuse, highlighting its gradual progression and the importance of vigilance in identifying and addressing such behaviors early on. 

Despite the challenges she faced, Estefan continues to remind us of the importance of breaking the silence and seeking support in the face of adversity. 

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org. 

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