Potential child abuse and depression

[jamespeterson]

Hello, I am new in this forum and I really just want help. I am quite depressed right now after reading several pages in the internet about sexual abuse. I am 23 years old now. When I was about 10 or 11, I can vaguely remember playing a game with my brother and in the game, I showed him my penis and he showed his to me. He was about 7 or 8 years old then. During the game I also told him he can touch my penis and he did. He didn't masturbate it or anything but he touched it for one second. Now I am feeling so guilty. Was I a child molester? Was my behavior then normal?

[Nighthawk61]

What you've described happens frequently in families, so yes, in a sense it is 'normal" and often it is as a result of problems in the home. What you've described would not be considered child abuse, however, it might help, indeed be a requirement that you talk to a therapist to fully recover from your feelings (depression). I hope that you have the option of talking to one and moving on with your life with closure from this incident.

God bless you for posting. It shows what a good heart you have. Please, feel better. You can write to me via private message if you wish. I have experience with the same sort of thing in my life. Liz

[Jessica111181]

Hello, the fact that you even worried about it shows you are not like that. As children we are curious and do silly things!
If u had forced him to do something inappropriate (like masturbate you as u mentioned) then there would be an issue.
As 1 of 3 girls we did silly things like play doctors and look at what each other looked like down there but there was never a bad intention and its not something we did except for probably once. I feel silly about it now but i know i dont have weird/inappropriate feelings towards children ect.
Im a normal happily married person with children.
I really dont think u need to worry about it and if u have a normal relationship with your brother now...im sure hes fine too.
I hope your doing something about your depression though?
-jess

[MOM42SF]

All children are curious and that does not sound like you exploited or abused him.   Forgive yourself - you were just a kid yourself.