Teri Hatcher Discloses She Was Sexually Abused - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Janice · 03-08-2006, 01:36 AM

Hatcher Discloses She Was Sexually Abused

NEW YORK (AP) - Teri Hatcher, one of the stars of ABC's "Desperate Housewives," says in the upcoming issue of Vanity Fair that her uncle sexually molested her 35 years ago.

The 41-year-old actress says she learned in 2002 that a 14-year-old victim of her uncle had committed suicide. Concerned that he would escape charges of molestation, Hatcher approached the prosecutors.

"This is something I've tried to hide my whole life," Hatcher tells the magazine, which hits newsstands Friday with the actress on the cover.

"I was just blown away by this young girl's pain," she says. "I thought, boy, that's really close to being me. Any day of the week I could feel that sort of pain. I haven't tried to kill myself, but I've certainly thought about it."

After Hatcher came forward, her uncle, Richard Hayes Stone, then 64-years-old, pleaded guilty to four counts of child molestation in the case of the 14-year-old victim and received 14 years in prison.

Chuck Gillingham, the Santa Clara County deputy district attorney in California, said, "Without Teri, this case would have been dismissed."

Hatcher said she hesitated because she thought tabloids would suggest she was trying to resuscitate her then-languishing career: "Here's what I anticipated. He did this, he gets off, and Teri ends up on the cover of a tabloid."

Hatcher said she was 5-years-old living in Sunnyvale, Calif., with her family when Stone would manipulate situations to get him and Hatcher alone in his car so he could take advantage of her.

"These are haunting things that I've remembered all my life," she says.

Vanity Fair said it contacted Stone's attorney, Eric Geffon, who declined to comment, and that it could not reach Stone in prison before going to press.

An after-hours phone call to Geffon on Tuesday by The Associated Press was not returned.

As many victims of sexual abuse do, Hatcher says she had complicated feelings about the abuse. She didn't see her uncle after she was 8- or 9-years-old, and never told her parents, though she thinks they suspected.

"I think their way of dealing with things is denial and guilt," she says. "Nobody wanted to talk about it. But all I did was blame myself."

Hatcher's career was revived with the hit "Desperate Housewives," for which she's twice been nominated for a Golden Globe, winning last year. "I have so much pain," she says. "I'm a woman who carries around all these layers of fear and vulnerability. I'm trying to be my powerful me."

Brad Russ · 03-08-2006, 12:53 PM

I just heard about this on Good Morning America. That is so sad how that poor girl committed suicide because of that creep. I applaud Mrs. Hatcher for her bravery in coming forward with this, and putting that creep behind bars where he belongs!!

KristenJ · 03-08-2006, 08:30 PM

I think that's very brave of her to go public with what her uncle did to her. I have so much respect for her now. And I'm sure it'll help a lot of people out there who have gone through the same thing.

TheGenius · 03-08-2006, 08:45 PM

Family > Everything else
She should not publicly call out a family member like that no matter how horrible of a thing he did, she is a bad person

Teri:

Courtnee · 03-08-2006, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGenius

Family > Everything else
She should not publicly call out a family member like that no matter how horrible of a thing he did, she is a bad person

Teri:

TheGenius · 03-08-2006, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rock Princess

I know you're a little kid with an undeveloped mind so I'll just tell you that when you grow up and learn to respect others, you'll realize that some people have different values. Some value money more than anything. Other values sex over everything, but others, like me, value family over everything. Please try to respect my values and opinions in the future.

Jo_Luvs_Ketchup · 03-08-2006, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGenius

Family > Everything else
She should not publicly call out a family member like that no matter how horrible of a thing he did, she is a bad person

Teri:

Unbelievable...are you seriously telling me that if your uncle sexually abused you and never stopped, that you wouldn't be upset and exploit what kind of guy he is? Wow...

KristenJ · 03-08-2006, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JinnyGirl88

Unbelievable...are you seriously telling me that if your uncle sexually abused you and never stopped, that you wouldn't be upset and exploit what kind of guy he is? Wow...

i agree. i dont wanna start a fight or anything, but i totally agree with that.

Janice · 03-08-2006, 09:44 PM

James"Thunder"Early · 03-08-2006, 11:43 PM

Digusting pig, he'll get what he deserves in prison.

Cashodeen · 03-09-2006, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGenius

Family > Everything else
She should not publicly call out a family member like that no matter how horrible of a thing he did, she is a bad person

Teri:

WOW, YOU ARE INSANE.

Cashodeen · 03-09-2006, 04:04 PM

14 years is not a strong enough sentence for this bastard. I hope he dies in prison rather than ever be free again. Good for Teri for being able to come forward.

dawsongirl · 03-09-2006, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGenius

I know you're a little kid with an undeveloped mind so I'll just tell you that when you grow up and learn to respect others, you'll realize that some people have different values. Some value money more than anything. Other values sex over everything, but others, like me, value family over everything. Please try to respect my values and opinions in the future.

If you enjoy having criminally insane freaks in your family, then you can have all you want. Most of us normal people like to know our children are safe at night and despite some stupid blood relation, would rather these people be banished off the earth forever.

dawsongirl · 03-09-2006, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janice

Sue me, but I find this ironic. In the article she reveals that she was sexually molested. So on the cover, she's in a sexy pose in some skimpy underwear.

Ironic what magazines will do...

dawsongirl · 03-09-2006, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cashodeen

14 years is not a strong enough sentence for this bastard. I hope he dies in prison rather than ever be free again. Good for Teri for being able to come forward.

I hope some prisoners give him the Jeffrey Dahmer prison treatment.

aka, kill him, for those who don't remember.

03-08-2006, 01:36 AM	#1
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	Teri Hatcher Discloses She Was Sexually Abused Hatcher Discloses She Was Sexually Abused NEW YORK (AP) - Teri Hatcher, one of the stars of ABC's "Desperate Housewives," says in the upcoming issue of Vanity Fair that her uncle sexually molested her 35 years ago. The 41-year-old actress says she learned in 2002 that a 14-year-old victim of her uncle had committed suicide. Concerned that he would escape charges of molestation, Hatcher approached the prosecutors. "This is something I've tried to hide my whole life," Hatcher tells the magazine, which hits newsstands Friday with the actress on the cover. "I was just blown away by this young girl's pain," she says. "I thought, boy, that's really close to being me. Any day of the week I could feel that sort of pain. I haven't tried to kill myself, but I've certainly thought about it." After Hatcher came forward, her uncle, Richard Hayes Stone, then 64-years-old, pleaded guilty to four counts of child molestation in the case of the 14-year-old victim and received 14 years in prison. Chuck Gillingham, the Santa Clara County deputy district attorney in California, said, "Without Teri, this case would have been dismissed." Hatcher said she hesitated because she thought tabloids would suggest she was trying to resuscitate her then-languishing career: "Here's what I anticipated. He did this, he gets off, and Teri ends up on the cover of a tabloid." Hatcher said she was 5-years-old living in Sunnyvale, Calif., with her family when Stone would manipulate situations to get him and Hatcher alone in his car so he could take advantage of her. "These are haunting things that I've remembered all my life," she says. Vanity Fair said it contacted Stone's attorney, Eric Geffon, who declined to comment, and that it could not reach Stone in prison before going to press. An after-hours phone call to Geffon on Tuesday by The Associated Press was not returned. As many victims of sexual abuse do, Hatcher says she had complicated feelings about the abuse. She didn't see her uncle after she was 8- or 9-years-old, and never told her parents, though she thinks they suspected. "I think their way of dealing with things is denial and guilt," she says. "Nobody wanted to talk about it. But all I did was blame myself." Hatcher's career was revived with the hit "Desperate Housewives," for which she's twice been nominated for a Golden Globe, winning last year. "I have so much pain," she says. "I'm a woman who carries around all these layers of fear and vulnerability. I'm trying to be my powerful me."

03-08-2006, 12:53 PM	#2
Brad Russ Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 17, 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 10,085	I just heard about this on Good Morning America. That is so sad how that poor girl committed suicide because of that creep. I applaud Mrs. Hatcher for her bravery in coming forward with this, and putting that creep behind bars where he belongs!!
	__________________ St. John 15:13 - Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." Currently my favorite song.

03-08-2006, 08:30 PM	#3
KristenJ Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 04, 2005 Posts: 203	I think that's very brave of her to go public with what her uncle did to her. I have so much respect for her now. And I'm sure it'll help a lot of people out there who have gone through the same thing.
	__________________ I guess it's hard for people who are so used to things the way they are-even if they're bad-to change. They kind of give up. And when they do, everybody kind of loses -Pay It Forward

03-08-2006, 11:43 PM	#10
James"Thunder"Early Whoever's In New England Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 23, 2004 Location: The Apollo Posts: 7,088	Digusting pig, he'll get what he deserves in prison.
	__________________ Esther Anderson: Get thee behind me, Satan, but I'm gon' get behind you, 'cause I'm gonna put my foot in your--- Peggy Mitchell: Get outta my pub! You better pray you get the last laugh, it's a kick in the teeth when you don't get it.

03-08-2006, 08:45 PM	#4
TheGenius Banned Banned!! Frequent Poster Join Date: Feb 24, 2006 Posts: 189	Family > Everything else She should not publicly call out a family member like that no matter how horrible of a thing he did, she is a bad person Teri:

03-08-2006, 09:44 PM	#9
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388

03-09-2006, 04:04 PM	#12
Cashodeen Hi. Forum Star Join Date: Aug 30, 2001 Posts: 11,363	14 years is not a strong enough sentence for this bastard. I hope he dies in prison rather than ever be free again. Good for Teri for being able to come forward.