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The Venezuelan model and presenter spoke openly regarding the sexual abuse she suffered and how it affected her. Although she is latent pain, she says that the stage is over. With her voice and her testimony, she hopes to help other victims to heal
The Venezuelan journalist Catherine Valentinerecognized for her radio and television work in the country, feels liberated following overcoming the trauma caused by the sexual harassment and abuse she suffered at the age of nine. Although the subject makes her feel vulnerable and still causes her pain, He assures that it is already a stage that is left behind.
The broadcaster, television presenter, writer and businesswoman was the victim of sexual abuse by her music teacher. In an interview with the whistle, this February 6, he said that his case was brought to light with the aim that your testimony helps people who went through the same thing. The model also recounted, for the first time, what happened in her book brave heartpublished in 2013.
Subsequently, on October 25, 2022, he spoke of his case to support the campaign “Los Niños no se Toca”, supported by government institutions, NGOs and citizens in the face of the abuses suffered by infants. With a precise tweet, he revealed what had happened to him and then, on December 1, he gave more details. His testimony went viral for several days and his voice was used to denounce a crime that affects thousands of children around the world.
She comments that as a result of the video they called her, both from abroad and from Venezuela, to talk regarding what she suffered. “I think the video came through and it was very honest and very heartfelt. I always do things from the heart, I also felt it was a necessity because I saw what was happening with the Balenciaga campaign.the clear use of pedophiliaand I said ‘I’m not going to stay silent’”, she highlights.
She said that she also told what happened because the music teacher died, so she felt a complete liberation and not only because of her, but because she found out that he had also abused other girls. “Beyond his death, I was ready to talk regarding it,” she says.
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“During all those years as a child, I felt that all this had been my fault, I felt that he abused me because I deserved it, because I was not a good girl and I felt shame and fear, because, also, I did not understand what was happening. When I grow up and start going to therapy, my psychologist makes me understand that the situation is not like that, that he was an abuser. I remember he was 19 years old and I talked to my mom, but he was already dead, there was nothing to do there”reports.
The abuse began when I was nine years old, he touched me, he gave me kisses, but it was very uncomfortable.
Caterina Valentino, Venezuelan journalist
Caterina Valentino told everything, but it was late
The also collaborator of the Los Buenos Somos Más Foundation told her mother everything that had happened in childhood.
“The abuse started when I was nine years old, he touched me, he gave me kisses, but it was very uncomfortable. At 11 years old, when she passed the limits that any girl can bear, I talked to my mom; We never told my dad anything, ”she adds.
However, Caterina Valentino only told her mother that she no longer wanted to attend music classes and did not reveal the truth of what the teacher did to her. Years later, and following a lot of psychological therapy, he opened up completely.. After telling him what happened, both dedicated themselves to alerting the mothers of other girls who were watching classes with him and found out that the man also abused some of them.
He describes his attacker as a recognized man within the Italian community, a respected teacher, played four instruments and was very intelligent. In addition, he claims that his parents loved him very much.
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—Do you think that the fact of having been abused in childhood influenced the decisions you made in your life?
-Yes, because you become a very distrustful person. For example, I remember that on the first appointment with the psychologist I did not open up and I did not explain what was happening in my life. She told me: “I’m not your music teacher and I’m not going to abuse you, if you don’t talk to me, I can’t help you”, and that’s how the first consultation, which was very hard, ended.
It was hard for me to trust people, I thought that everyone was going to abuse me, that they were going to do something once morest me. And then, the issue of sexual relations with men was always a problem, because she felt ashamed, she ended up crying, because she said “this is not clean.” Until later I understood that it is part of a normal process and is part of life. But it did take its toll on me.
In my case I kept quiet, but my mom listened to me; It is important that parents listen to their children.
Caterina Valentino, Venezuelan journalist
—As a victim of sexual abuse, what do you recommend to fathers and mothers to prevent their children from going through the same thing?
-In my case I kept quiet, but my mom listened to me. First it is important that parents listen to their children; there are always signs, when a child has attention deficit, gets sick frequently, when he doesn’t want to go somewhere or doesn’t want someone to touch or kiss him, when he doesn’t want to be alone. You have to listen to the children.
I have said it repeatedly, 80% of the child molester is someone close to the family. Those people who are close are the people they have to watch the most.
—Do you think that it is positive that the victims do not repress what they feel?
I think it’s important to talk regarding it. When I launched my book, 15-year-old girls came up to me and said: “Thank you, because the same thing happened to me.”
What situations lead to sexual abuse once morest children and adolescents?
I remember that when they interviewed me, at first it was very difficult for me to speak regarding it because it is very intimate, it is your private life and they are very delicate things. It is important to express it, it can be with someone you trust to guide and guide you, it does not necessarily have to be a specialist. When one speaks it, one is healing.
Do you feel like you’ve achieved everything you ever wanted?
-I think so because, in addition, I have done it in an organized way, for example, I started on the radio first and it was always my house, I have a program that has been on the air for 27 years. Then the television started, then I wrote a book, I wrote my columns. I became a businesswoman, I have my own line of accessories that works in the United States and in Venezuela. I acted in a novel, Secret love, that was seen on Spanish television. Versatility is my hallmark, I put my heart into everything I do.
—What is Catherina Valentino proud of?
-Of all that I have achieved, of being knight, an award given by the Government of Italy, is the most important recognition. I am proud of the award from the Colombian Congress for my work as a journalist because I was a correspondent for 13 years international snail. Of all the recognitions I have obtained in Venezuela.
Above all, I feel proud to have achieved everything by myself, that no one has given me a hand, because I have not had sponsors. I feel proud of everything I have done because everything has cost me so much, that every time I achieve it I see it as something important that I have to recognize and it encourages me to keep going.
Versatility is my hallmark, I put my heart into everything I do
Caterina Valentino, Venezuelan journalist
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