MY STORY | I was raped by my father, fell pregnant by him at 17 and aborted the baby

In a harrowing Twitter post an American woman has shared her horror at discovering she was pregnant after her own father raped her.

The woman – who doesn’t disclose her age or identity and uses the handle @JadedAbby – says she had an abortion and is glad she did because her life would've otherwise turned out very differently.

Now, even after years of therapy, she still suffers from mental health issues, including complex post-traumatic disorder (CPTSD), which is associated with repeated trauma.

No child should ever have to go through this, she says. And that's why she's sharing her story in the hope that it might help other survivors who've walked a similar path.

“I was sexually abused by my father, got pregnant to him at 17, and had an abortion. 

I left home, went to college, and got my bachelor's and, eventually, master’s in nursing. 

Without the abortion, I would've been dependent on my parents and subject to my father's continued abuse. I tell my story so others know they're not alone and to put a face to incest and abortion issues. 

Women and children should not be treated like chattel or to fulfil someone's sexual needs. 

They have the right to live their lives free of abuse.

Incest, molestation and rape all damage a person's mental health. Although a survivor, I still have issues with CPTSD, depression, anxiety and paranoia. 

Abuse scars a person for life. 

Forcing a child or adult to give birth to the rapist's child is just another form of abuse.

I never reported my father because of fear. I did confront him later in life. He denied it all. I expected he would. 

He later committed suicide. 

READ MORE | Newcastle woman finds justice 44 years after being sexually abused by her stepfather

Sexual abuse includes verbal, physical, mental and emotional abuse. 

In spite of therapy, I have difficulties relating to people and dealing with things in life. I have no idea what love is because my father distorted that concept. The only time he showed love was when he abused me.

Many sexually abused women become prostitutes. 

The abuse changes the development of the brain and the perspective of the person regarding life. 

Adoption wasn't a choice. I wanted to rip his child out of me. I hated that he did that to me. I wanted no memory of what he did.

I've been working on writing a book. It's difficult to rehash the past at times, but I feel that my life story is important.

My story, unfortunately, isn't an exception, as pointed out by many. 

I once sat in a room of 20 women who'd gone through a similar experience. 

I applaud my fellow survivors. You're worthy and strong. You are all heroes in my book.”