And everyone was silent

My name is Lydia Gouardo, and I want the whole world to know what a monster my stepfather was. From the age of nine, he raped, tortured, cruelly punished and impregnated me. He then entrusted our children to his equally cruel wife. Everyone pretended not to see or hear anything, as if I didn't even exist; the police and social services couldn't have cared less about me. It was only after many years that I finally found the courage to speak out.