TRIGGER WARNING - I’m a minor survivor of sexual abuse pursuing legal action, and the abuser’s family is threatening me.

Problem/Goal: I am a 16-year-old survivor of long-term sexual abuse by a relative.

Context: It has been happening for years, and there was a recent incident of forced sexual activity. I have finally gathered the courage to seek legal action and am currently in the process of working with authorities (WCPD/social services).

However, I am struggling with two major issues**:** The perpetrator's family is threatening to sue me for defamation to silence me and stop the case. They are trying to scare me into dropping the charges. Due to the years of abuse, I have struggled with severe depression and a loss of self-value. In the past, I engaged in risky behaviors online (selling explicit content, one-time hookups) as a way to cope with the trauma. I am terrified that the perpetrator’s legal team will find out about my past and use it to character-assassinate me, discredit my testimony, or claim that I am "not a credible victim" because of my history.

I am feeling overwhelmed, ashamed, and physically unwell due to the extreme stress. I have a medico-legal exam coming up for the case, but I feel like I’m falling apart.