How can I (M/21) navigate a difficult relationship with my aunt (F/33) while deciding whether to stay connected?

Need help

I (21 M) have lived with my family my entire life. Throughout school and college, I stayed at home. While my parents provided well for me on paper, I always felt a lack of genuine emotional connection. I feel like I'm only valued or cared for when I achieve something academically or do something that makes them look good.

Growing up, I struggled heavily with addiction, which I believe stems from past trauma. When I was around 11, a relative brother sexually abused me by touching me and showing me arousal. Later in life, he acted like nothing happened and was nice to me, but that experience left me confused and seeking answers on the internet.

When I was around 16, my own elder brother began sexually abusing me while I was sleeping. I froze, and because of my body's involuntary physical response, I felt immense guilt and shame every time, feeling like I should have stopped it. Because I didn't know how to set boundaries, it continued repeatedly over time. I resentment and hate for him grew. Even though he eventually moved out for work, during a family trip a couple of months ago, he did it again. Again, my physical response complicated things, but I deeply regret not stopping it and setting firm boundaries.

These experiences severely distorted my understanding of boundaries and intimacy. I made a terrible mistake and crossed a line by attempting something inappropriate with my aunt (33 F) while she was asleep. She caught me, was understandably angry, and distanced herself. I felt immense guilt, apologized repeatedly, and tried to make amends. She told me she wouldn't tell anyone, encouraged me to change my behavior, and I opened up to her about the abuse I had suffered from my brother.

However, I later looked through her phone (violating her privacy) and found out she had told her husband (my uncle) and my abuser (my elder brother) everything. When I mentioned my brother's abuse to her, she dismissed it as a fantasy rather than believing me.

On top of this, my uncle and aunt recently found condoms in my bag, leading to a confrontation about my behavior. Despite knowing everything, my uncle and brother act completely normal around me, pretending they don't know what happened. I feel betrayed that my aunt broke my trust, especially by telling the person who abused me, and I suspect my brother may have told my dad as well.

Right now, the family dynamic feels extremely toxic, controlled, and fake. I feel watched, gossiped about, and completely alienated, while everyone pretends everything is fine on the surface.

I am at a crossroads and need perspective: Should I cut off ties with these family members and move out to live independently, or should I attempt to confront and communicate these deep issues to try and resolve things?

Posted Jul 29, 2026, 6:57 AM UTC

21
Loading comments…