Afton Williamson Opens Up About Childhood Abuse

Afton Williamson, star of ABC’s The Rookie, has been in the spot light recently for coming forward with claims of sexual harassment and racial discrimination on the set of The Rookie. A little over a week ago, Williamson laid everything out on an Instagram post. She came forward naming fellow The Rookie star Demetrius Grosse as the man to sexually harass her during filming of the first season of the series. Williamson also spoke of Hair Department Head Sally Nicole Ciganovich who Willaimson claimed to racially bully her. Williamson came forward about these accusations, but also made herself a voice of those afraid to come forward saying,

“We have a Voice. ALL OF US. It is our DUTY to use it.”

Williamson’s Childhood Trauma

Posting a picture on Instagram of Maya Angelou’s book I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Williamson spoke about the abuse she experienced during her childhood. She told about being abused by a babysitter when she was six years old. She told her parents about the abuse, but was sent back to the babysitter the following day. Williamson discusses the constant abuse she has endured throughout her life including abusive relationships and multiple rapes that occurred during her life. She reveals the her struggles with PTSD and thoughts of suicide, but continues her fight.

“I was sexually abused at a babysitters home when I was 6 years old.I told.I was sent back the next day.I was abused for the next 4 years. At 13, I started losing my hair to PTSD.So I shaved my head.That’s how I entered highschool.I was terrified but I was strong.”

Williamson’s Strength

Although she has endured much pain and suffering in her past, Williamson continues to be an advocate for those abused. She is an example that being a victim doesn’t make a person weak. Through all of her pain, Williamson continues to show she is a fighter and a woman that other women can look up to.

“It was during these 4 years that God spoke to me.Told me who I was.Showed me what I would become.The isolation of being different pushed me so close to Him it was just the 2 of us.He told me I had to fight. So I did.I fought to get out of Toledo. I fought to get into college. I fought in college for myself and all the future black women in that Theatre, as I was the only one.I fought to break ground and change history.I fought in grad school. The only black face of 16 students at a classical conservatory in Alabama. “

As Williamson has done once before, she left the reader with some inspiring words.

“May My Truth be a Light. A path to Yours.”

Afton Williamson’s time on The Rookie may have come to an end. But she is continuing to be a leader for the many women who are all in the battle together.