'I was literally dying inside'
New UK|May 13, 2024
Broadcaster and campaigner Charlie Webster tells new how hard it was to open up and face her childhood trauma
SARAH TULLOCH
'I was literally dying inside'

As a child, Charlie Webster, 41, was physically and emotionally abused by one man then groomed and sexually abused by another her athletics coach. Years later, after completing a 3,000-mile cycling challenge from Europe to South America for charity, ahead of the 2016 Olympic Games, Charlie became critically ill with malaria and was put on life support. After two weeks in a coma, she made a recovery that baffled doctors both in Brazil and the UK. Now, as she brings out a new book, Why It's OK To Talk About Trauma, she shares her powerful story of survival and resilience...

'I used to think there was something wrong with me. When I was younger, I felt very alone and thought that everybody else was happy and living a wonderful life.

Meanwhile, I believed I wasn’t good enough. We internalise the things that happen to us, especially from a young age, because that’s how we grow and learn.

From the age of seven, I was physically and emotionally abused by a man. We often talk about adults who are in domestic abuse situations, but the effect it has on children is so severe. We learn about ourselves from other people when we’re small, but there are so many that have been brought up amid domestic abuse. It is sadly very common.

In my teens, I was then groomed and sexually abused by my running coach and, for a long time, I detached from my emotions as a way to cope. I could pretty much survive anything. I was seen as a really strong person, because, from a young age, that’s how I had to be to survive. But as an adult, it became a problem because, to me, love was something that was conditional, not unconditional.

Denne historien er fra May 13, 2024-utgaven av New UK.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra May 13, 2024-utgaven av New UK.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA NEW UKSe alt
HISTORY IN THE MAKING
New UK

HISTORY IN THE MAKING

To mark the 40th anniversary of Do They Know It's Christmas?, the BBC is airing behind-the-scenes footage of the recording

time-read
4 mins  |
November 25, 2024
ALWAYS THE BAD GUY?
New UK

ALWAYS THE BAD GUY?

After playing evil Joel in Corrie, Calum Lill is treading the boards as a pantomime villain. Oh, yes he is!

time-read
3 mins  |
November 25, 2024
BOOST YOUR BRAIN HEALTH
New UK

BOOST YOUR BRAIN HEALTH

As doctors highlight the importance of early detection in dementia cases, here's how we can help protect ourselves

time-read
4 mins  |
November 25, 2024
Jealous cop killed ex-lover's new wife in love triangle murder
New UK

Jealous cop killed ex-lover's new wife in love triangle murder

DNA evidence from a bite mark on the victim linked an LAPD officer to Sherri Rasmussen's murder

time-read
5 mins  |
November 25, 2024
'Every month I would plan my own death due to PMDD'
New UK

'Every month I would plan my own death due to PMDD'

Shalina Casey, 48, of Hampshire, suffers from the same condition as TV stars Vicky Pattison and Kristina Goodsell. Here, she shares her story

time-read
5 mins  |
November 25, 2024
'My dad was the only suspect'
New UK

'My dad was the only suspect'

Ahead of a chilling new documentary, Tina Wing's son Daniel speaks to new about finding justice for his mother 32 years after her brutal unsolved murder

time-read
5 mins  |
November 25, 2024
Martine praises the pal who hasn't 'picked a side'
New UK

Martine praises the pal who hasn't 'picked a side'

After her \"brutal” break-up, Martine McCutcheon enjoys a night out amid fears of losing friends

time-read
3 mins  |
November 25, 2024
'Zach and I fell in love completely backwards'
New UK

'Zach and I fell in love completely backwards'

Molly Marsh opens up about life after Love Island, settling down with boyfriend Zach Noble and becoming a pop star

time-read
4 mins  |
November 25, 2024
'You should be able to be sensitive'
New UK

'You should be able to be sensitive'

Professor Green talks feelings, fatherhood and the importance of a good night's sleep

time-read
4 mins  |
November 25, 2024
´Coleen won't back out of any challenges'
New UK

´Coleen won't back out of any challenges'

As Coleen Rooney enters the jungle, good pal Danielle Lloyd tells new how she'll get on

time-read
4 mins  |
November 25, 2024