“It happened to me, it doesn’t define me anymore.”

Former Neighbours and Playing for Keeps star Madeleine West has revealed she was the victim of long-term child abuse.

Speaking out in a true crime podcast Predatory and on The Project, West said the trauma remained a secret for over 30 years.

For legal reasons West has not revealed details of her abuse, but is reportedly now seeking justice.

‘I felt today of all days, when the story came out, I needed to be visible,” she said.

“I need to be seen, going about my business needing to earn a living, making some jokes, being a mum …a little bit bruised and battered, certainly, but not defeated and not broken, and not to blame for what happened to me when I was a very small child. It happened to me, it doesn’t define me anymore.”

Madeleine West's new true crime podcast focuses on how predators target children. Madeleine shares her own personal story, and how it affected her life. #TheProjectTV pic.twitter.com/1wW9fTI9I9

— The Project (@theprojecttv) January 15, 2023

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Beyond Blue 1300 22 46 36

Bravehearts: 1800 272 831.
Child Abuse Protection Hotline: 1800 688 009
Child Abuse Report Line: 131 478.