# When The Predator Is Your Father- Sherrie Allsup Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yzubSy3Mpk Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/8yzubSy3Mpk Generated: 2025-12-29T12:03:39.801+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview Sherrie Allsup shares her harrowing experience of surviving long-term sexual abuse by her father starting at age six or seven, detailing how the constant adrenaline from fear led to severe physical health problems and complex PTSD, yet she ultimately channeled this trauma into becoming an educator for law enforcement on working with sex crime victims alongside retired officer Kevin Donaldson. **Key Points:** - Sherrie Allsup's sexual abuse by her father began when she was six or seven, involving full penetration, and her father was perceived by the community as a "great guy," illustrating how perpetrators often infiltrate social circles. - The perpetual state of living on adrenaline due to fear caused severe physical tolls, resulting in current issues like thyroid and kidney problems, necessitating 25 pills daily, aligning with concepts in 'The Body Keeps the Score'. - When Allsup told her mother at age 35, her father admitted the abuse, but her mother returned to him the next day, and they remained married until his death years later. - Allsup experienced a suicide attempt at age 50, feeling that living had become worse than dying due to exhaustion from constant fighting, but subsequent EMDR therapy significantly changed her world. - She and retired law enforcement officer Kevin Donaldson now co-teach an eight-hour interactive class to law enforcement nationwide, aiming to improve how officers work with victims of sex crimes, noting that the average officer receives only two hours of sexual assault training. - A key lesson learned is that survivors are not the labels forced upon them; Allsup defaults to thinking she is "stupid" or "worthless" when things go wrong, a residual effect of her perpetrator's constant verbal abuse. - Allsup emphasizes that for survivors, the trauma doesn't end when the abuse stops; it follows them into all aspects of adult life, requiring constant grounding techniques like putting her feet in the grass to manage triggers like loud noises. **Context:** The discussion features Sherrie Allsup recounting the severe, lifelong impact of being sexually abused by her father from age six or seven until she married in high school, contrasting this hidden reality with her father's public persona as a charming pillar of the community. The conversation also briefly touches upon the addictive nature of high-stakes gambling losses experienced by 'whales' like Terry Watnabi, drawing parallels between that adrenaline rush and the survival mode Allsup was forced into. ## Detailed Analysis Sherrie Allsup endured sexual abuse from her father starting at age six or seven, which, combined with physical and verbal abuse, forced her body into a constant state of adrenaline-fueled survival mode, leading to complex PTSD and significant long-term physical health deterioration, including thyroid and kidney issues, as detailed in 'The Body Keeps the Score'. Despite her father being widely regarded as a 'great guy,' his actions were hidden, a common trait among sexual predators who are often charming and easy to like. Allsup's attempt to seek help at age 35 by telling her mother resulted in her father admitting the abuse, but her mother chose to stay with him, leaving Allsup feeling unsupported. After years of struggling, including a suicide attempt at age 50, she found significant healing through EMDR therapy. Now, Allsup partners with retired law enforcement officer Kevin Donaldson to deliver an intensive eight-hour training program to police officers across the country, educating them on trauma response in victims, filling a massive gap since most officers receive only two hours of relevant training during their careers. She continually battles the negative labels ingrained in her childhood—like being 'stupid' and 'worthless'—but strives to be a 'hope dealer,' emphasizing that even when the abuse is over, the aftermath requires ongoing work, though there is always hope for recovery. ### Childhood Trauma and Survival - Sexual abuse began at age six or seven by her father, who was publicly charming - Perpetrators are often "great guys" who infiltrate the community - She lived in constant "survival mode" due to walking on eggshells. ### Long-Term Physical and Mental Health Toll - Adrenaline rushes decimated her health, leading to current issues like thyroid/kidney problems and requiring 25 pills daily - She suffers from complex PTSD, including nightmares and panic attacks long after the abuse ended. ### Attempted Disclosure and Aftermath - She revealed the abuse at age 35; her father admitted it, but her mother returned to him the next day - She married in high school as an escape plan and later attempted suicide at age 50 due to exhaustion from fighting. ### Healing Journey and Therapy - EMDR therapy "completely changed" her world after her suicide attempt - She struggled to accept love from her kind husband and patient father-in-law, who taught her how a father's love is safe. ### Advocacy and Law Enforcement Training - Allsup and Kevin Donaldson teach an eight-hour interactive class to law enforcement on working with sex crime victims - She notes officers average only two hours of sexual assault training in their careers. ### Core Lessons and Hope - The most important lesson learned is that she is not the label forced upon her, despite defaulting to feelings of being "stupid" or "worthless" - She stresses that for survivors, "when it's over, it's just beginning," but insists there is always hope, urging people not to give up today.