First off, I'm so sorry this happened to you, and that you've been struggling with it alone for so long.

Rest assured that speaking up is the best thing you can do, because you're right: you never know who else may suffer because of this man's lack of self-control.

In fact, if you keep this in mind, it may help the healing process.

Also, if your family is supportive, you should speak to them about what happened. Start with the parent who isn't blood-related to your uncle, if possible.

As for legalities:

Whether you can still press charges against your uncle depends on your state.

Do a Google search for this:

"name of state" + "statute of limitations on child molestation"

I found this on TheLaw.com forums:

"In general, the statute of limitations for rape or sodomy felonies is five years from the date the crime was committed. For misdemeanors (sexual contact without consent) the statute of limitations is two years from the date the crime was committed.

Since Legislature realized that young children who are victims of sexual crimes might not be apt to report them, the law was changed in 1996 to "toll" the statute of limitations or delay the clock from running until the child turned 18 or until the crime was reported to the police or Statewide Central Registry, whichever occurs earlier. So for example, if a crime occurred in 1997 then the parents of a ten-year-old child have 13 years (until 2010) to report and prosecute this crime if it�s a felony and 10 years (until 2007) to report and prosecute if it is a misdemeanor."

It may not be (and probably isn't) the same in every state.

Nevertheless, even if nothing can be done to your uncle, you still need to speak up -- suffering in silence is a damaging thing.

Best of luck.

Thank You.

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