Thank SWU for allowing me to speak my truth and no longer be silent! Mark, you are amazing! As for the many comments below referring to me saying “what does that have to do with being Mexican?” It doesn’t. I am not implying that being Latino, these circumstances are bound to happen or because I’m Mexican, this is the culture. Negative. What I was implying was that being in a Hispanic household, you’re taught to just remain quiet. Period. No talk of mental health, emotions or feelings. That’s what I meant.

“Memories should feel like memories. They shouldn’t feel like they just happened yesterday.” That is such a powerful quote 💥

Cynthia's mother is a disturbingly sick person. I have to wonder if she had similar childhood abuse. Cynthia, your life, relationship, children and healing is a beautiful example of thriving after an incredibly torturous upbringing. I've been a PTSD therapist for 16 years, using EMDR for ten. Sounds like you have an amazingly gifted therapist. You are inspirational. Thank you for sharing your life with us

I hope her entire family watches this.

Shame on your mother for not protecting you to keep her financial dreams in order! As a mother there is NO JOB more important than protecting your children and that is shameful on your mother’s part! You are worthy of love and are an amazing mother to the girls in your life ❤

For him to be in jail for 7 months means they did believe her and kept him as long as possible due to her family making her recant I am a retired career officer lieutenant and we know when recanted change stories after they go home to mom. Happens a lot. You try to keep the chemo in jail to protect children as long as you legally can. At a certain point if they keep recantng you have to let chemo go

This man is a monster. The rest of her family is also abusing her by choosing the monster over her. Good for Cynthia for doing the hard work and breaking the evil cycle. Stay the course, dear!!✊🏽❤️‍🩹✊🏽

In most cultures people don’t want to talk about sexual abuse, it’s not just the Hispanic culture.

How many women in their 30s & 40s are being abused by fathers, uncles & grandfathers. Our hearts go out to those women in our community suffering in silence 🤍 I hope Cynthia’s strength & bravery by sharing her journey helps other women trapped in these cycles of abuse to come forward. Prayers 🤍

Sometimes really nice people are born to horrible parents. Often actually.

Cynthia, this is what inspires me the most about you: your courage to be honest. In a world that avoids pain through lies and self deception, you stare it in the face and call it what it is. The work you are starting regarding your mom will undoubtedly be the hardest but ‘the truth will set you free’. You are a rare, beautiful person. Thank you for sharing yourself with us.

Thank you for sharing your story. So courageous We have to keep talking about childhood abuses. Bring it to the light and break the chain of abuse for the next generation. ❤

Mark when your voice gets emotional it reminds me how much this project means to you. Always so inspiring

As hard as this was to listen to at times, it was an amazing interview, because it skirted around NOTHING. How eloquent, blunt and thoughtful Cynthia was in recounting her story -- and how sensitive Mark was at asking even the tough questions so she could clarify some details. It seemed like a conversation. I am happy she's found help and a pleasant life, and I can't help but think her story will benefit others in extraordinarily difficult situations. This was honestly one of the best SWU videos I've seen.

That cooperation question from Mark was a little off putting. Most victims cooperate to avoid "worse" abuse.

So disturbing that some women can sacrifice their babies to monsters in this way

I just want to hug her. What a beautiful and remarkable woman she is! I’m so sorry she was born to monsters but she came through and is now a warrior! I am so blown away by her. I wish her all the happiness that life has to offer!!!!! ❤❤❤

21:51 Cynthia exclaims about parenting "wow, these two human beings are never going to hurt the way that I hurt, and they're never going to experience pain the way that I did. ". She really poigniantly describes parenting as a person with childhood trauma. I think this thought so often..

12:41 "were you in some way cooperating with what he was doing?" Just here to remind those who need reminded that minors cannot consent and the implication in that question was kind of repulsive to me.

She speaks the truth. The culture is truly toxic, where the man can do no wrong and the woman are there to serve the man. I have learned to forgive my mother over time and heal, but you never forget. Stay strong my sister.

One of my favorite interviews. So well spoken. Amazing. She ended it beautifully, "you are doing a service to humanity!"

That's high praise, Mark: you're doing a service to humanity. And it is certainly well-deserved. ❤🙏🏽

Cynthia, thank you for sharing! I spent over 60 years in the Latino comunity in southern California and North Baja Mexico. You have given me greater insight to the world we live in! You are a beautiful Latina! Thank you so much! Mark, you have done it again! Amazing! Thank you!

People abuse others and then expect them NOT to be "crazy" or effected. 😢😢😢 this world is insane😢

Being familiar with the Culture, word travels fast in our circles. Once her "family" comes in contact with this video. Their lives will change forever. Im proud of you Cynthia for speaking up.

Thank you for sharing your story Cynthia. My step dad raised me as well and eventually became very verbally abusive towards me and very destructive in the household. I began working 2 jobs at the age of 18 to leave that terrible environment and I eventually did when I was 22. You’re doing so amazing🙏🏻 thank you once again. ❤

Cynthia, you are a resilient & strong woman. I appreciate your insight, in that our traumas don’t define us, as people. I feel that our traumas & experiences only “shape” us; they are not our identities. Thank you for for your bravery in sharing your story. Keep moving forward in your healing journey❤.

The work she has put in to heal is so beautiful. Wish you nothing but beauty and light and blessings all of your life Cynthia.

I tell my gkids to ALWAYS tell. I will do all i can to protect them. I don't understand how mothers don't believe their children. Her mom needs therapy. It most likely happened to her too.

Jeg Cynthia, what you said about your step daughters made me cry. It's so incredibly beautiful that you're protecting them, being aware and loving them so much that you're choosing to stay alive for them. You're without doubt breaking the cycle! I wish you all the best together with your as well, lots of love to y'all ❤️

I wasn’t sure I was going to be interested in this story bc I’m Mexican and I had a loving family growing up. I’ve heard of story like Cynthia’s and I’m so sorry she and countless others have had to experience such trauma. I hope Cynthia finds healing and moves forward and has an amazing life ❤🙏🏽

I’m so glad that you are aware that you did NOT accept it, even if you didn’t fight back. Not only were you taught that it was normal, you were also trying to survive. All children seek out ways to stay close and receive positive and loving connections with our caregivers, our survival depends on it. Your dad knew what he was doing and how to manipulate you. You were just a child! I’m so sorry this happened to you. You are a strong woman and I hope you continue to heal. I’m so glad that you have love in your life, you deserve it

What a fantastic story, and mad respect to that family that got her outta there for good

I'm very glad that you discuss all this abuse and blame the people involved in public. This is powerful. Not only serves to expose the abusers and ashame them, it can also help other people that might be affected by similar situation. But what I like the most is that through your experience you cast a shadow on familiy dynamics. Family is an instution too crucial to not be more seriously scrutinazed and discussed, on many grounds including underlying ethical and cultural values.

I don't know how a woman can look at and tolerate a man who is abusing her daughter sexually and go to bed with that man and not feel disgusted by the mere presence of him. Cynthia needs to have a conversation with her mother.

She is so insightful and articulate. What a gem! 😊

Cynthia is a resilient young woman and a survivor!

EMDR is absolutely amazing. I’m so glad you have found it along with a good therapist Cynthia. I’ve had the same experience with this therapy as you and would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who has experienced trauma. It does exactly what you described by reprocessing PTSD symptoms. Thanks for sharing, I wish you all the best ❤

Thank you for your story. Sharing this has to be hard but your honestly to the entire situation is empowering.

Her mother is a spineless monster for allowing it. She allowed it to happen, because there is no way a mother doesnt know that her husband is sneaking out of her bed at night. Selfishness.

I understand the guilt you feel. Breaking the family rules and speaking out is scary. If they don’t honor your voice then they are continuing to spread the trama. Keep healing and thank you for your voice.

What a disgusting "father". mother also not worth ish.

Mark, I think all the interviews you conduct are truly amazing. I some of the people you interview really relate to what has happened to me all my life. Your channel has really brought me to not judge people that have been through such tough times. The homeless, the addicts, the downtrodden, etc. You have made a difference in all these people's lives. By getting us that follow your channel, see the worst, see the changes in one's you reconnect with. Like The Whittakers and Rebecca. Your channel is important, eccentric, mind-boggling, intriguing, and surreal. You're a great man. Keep doing what you're doing. You truly make a difference in all the people's lives. God bless you!

I love how she said her culture is toxic. It really is. I used to go out with one. It was exhausting.

Thank you for sharing and letting people see there hope out there for those who are hurting...shinning lite for others in their darkness

Yes indeed, Mark you are opening many avenues in our world today. Thank you for all you’ve shared. 🙏🏽

Thank you for sharing your story Cynthia. As someone who is a trauma survivor, I can resonate with your pain and admire your resilience. You give me hope and strength to face these demons head on and give me hope that I can truly heal and life for myself. Thank you.

Mark "You are doing a service to humanity." - Yes! 😊

Sacrificing your happiness to "keep the peace" in the house with someone who is toxic like that is something I understand so well. It better for yourself and everyone else if you keep that person happy, even if it means not standing up for yourself or allowing them to get away with being wrong/awful....it's so sad and messed up but I get why you allowed him to continue the abuse and dissociate bc it was the best option for you and everyone around you. You are so brave for doing this interview and it is so helpful for myself and others who grew up with people like him. Truly Cynthia, this interview means so much to me and is so powerful and important for change. Thank you!!!

She is a warrior! Thank you for sharing your story❤

MAN THAT IS SOOO TRUE ABOUT THE LATINO/HISPANIC CULTURE I COMMEND YOU FOR SAYING IT.

Did i hear marks voice get shaky there at the very end??!!! What a statement and so very true.....you are changing humanity! ❤

Thank you for sharing your story and experience Cynthia. You are clearly an intelligent and well spoken woman. You are a survivor and a warrior. I see you being a major asset to other women who have gone through the same situations that you have. It takes a lot of courage to go on camera and share the intimate details online. I foresee a very bright future for you going forward and that which doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger. I wish you nothing but the best in the future and will pray for your continued healing. God bless you and much love dear.

Really sad story. I always ask my kids if they’re safe and told them this stuff is wrong. I encourage parents to talk to their children about this.

You are one of the strongest and bravest woman I know. Keep speaking out. Your story is helping someone, you are definitely helping me to have a voice. I don't understand why families are happy sweeping SA under the carpet. My mum and dad knew and did sweet FA. I carried it and could only speak up when they passed. Sexual abuse is aggressive behaviour by using manipulation and brain washing of a child from an early age. I pray love, light, peace and continuous healing over your life 💜❤

Loving all the positive feed back!!! That is why this channel is so great, I believe it does help people.

I wish you all the best Cynthia. I have watched many interviews in this channel, and you inspire love and respect. I am very happy to know that you have found a good therapist and that there's love in your life. All thanks to you. Bless you 🙏🌻♥

I wish for her the best,is all i can say in the moment. Great interview,Mark. ❤Tee

These are great interviews mark! Thank you!

Cynthia - I went through the same thing, having to recant my story after CPS got involved. It is hard enough to gain the strength to tell and a small weight lifts, only to go home and made to feel like the aggressor for what you did to him! You are a warrior! - Buffy

Cynthia is awesome! Hang in there, girl. You’ve got this.

How humiliating and demoralizing it must have felt to be coerced by FAMILY into recanting after finally speaking up and getting your hopes up for a chance to be free from abuse. So sorry that the people who should’ve been there for you weren’t. Hope and pray you continue to heal.♥️

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It involves eye movement or bilateral stimulation to facilitate the reprocessing of distressing experiences, such as PTSD and other trauma-related conditions.

Sad so many children have to go through this. Thank you for sharing her story

Thanks for sharing your story Cynthia!

Finding the right therapist is life changing.

That man manipulated both the mother and Cynthia so bad that he made them both feel guilty. I can’t believe he cried to make a poor young teen feel bad for such an abusive person. And the mother being an adult is so brainwashed that she believes it was all okay to damage a child. He has mentally wrecked 2 woman, and the mother is such in denial that he’s even done anything wrong, and I’m pretty sure he cheats on her all the time, and she still doesn’t see it. Is she that codependent that she can’t leave him? Is she not capable of supporting herself? That still isn’t an excuse, she could go live with family. I’d totally disown them both.

I love this channel because I gain insight into how other ethnicities live. Everyone on the planet has done studies on the black household but this channel exposes the family structure of other cultures.

Jesus Mark asking her were you cooperating in some way? Unreal. Haven't you absorbed anything after all these sa interviews?? This woman is a GD survior.

I applaud you for voicing that, very well said. I completely agree with you and love you for saying it!!!!!!

You're so brave to share and an eloquent speaker. I'm sorry this happened to you and no one would protect you. You deserved better. I pray God blesses you the rest of your life

Thank you for sharing. Listening to you talk about EMDR makes me want to seek out same therapy. Thank you.

Love, light and peace to you. Thank you for sharing. Your bravery is beautiful.

The ending 🥺 🤍✨🙏 Thank you for sharing Cynthia!

so much love! Thank you for sharing.

One of my good friends had a similar childhood. The part when this woman says she hopes her sister wasn't abused too... well my friend recently found out that her sister was also being raped by their dad and neither of them knew it was happening to the other as kids. They both thought they were the only one. Finding out that your sister was going through the same hell on earth you were, and that you could have been helping and supporting each other the entire time, and finding out as an adult has to be traumatic in and of itself.

EMDR is the very best for victims and the release of the effects of abuse. Praying for your healing and happiness.

I love her energy. Her story is making me tear up I’m so sorry you and so many kids go through this it’s unimaginable. I’m glad your happy you deserve it ❤

Cynthia, your bravery is beyond admirable. I can not even begin to imagine the hell that you had to endure growing up with a monster to raise you and abuse you at the same time. Im currently 12 mins and 18 seconds in and I had to stop because i know what youre about to say is going to be extremely hard to hear and I'll be honest, I almost don't want to because I know its going to hurt and and its going to make me feel uncomfortable BUT the fact that you came onto Mark's channel to share your story, I'm going to keep listening because I also know how hard this has to be for you to talk about this. I'd like to clarify that I know I sound selfish by saying I don't want to listen or that it makes me feel uncomfortable but its only because there's just so many children being sexually abused and, just like in your situation, the rest of the family is not supportive of the victim and it's appalling how many mothers side with the abuser and I really wish laws could be changed somehow to where the parent who knows but does nothing should also be held responsjble and punished with more thsn just a slap on the wrist! In fact, if she knew and allowed it, she should also be charged with the same charges he got! I'm going to finish watching your video now but again, thank you for sharing your story. In case no one has told you this lately, I want you to know that based on these 12 minutes, I think you are incredibly smart, brave, beautiful, strong and again so admirable! If you have kids or plan to, I can already tell that you are going to be an amazing mother and also a mother who will no doubt, break that generational curse! I know I'm just a stranger leaving a comment but please believe me when I say, I believe in you!

Crying you’re doing a service to humanity!!! Thank you Cynthia for your bravery to share your story! The pages have turned into another chapter of healing ❤️‍🩹 you’re one brave woman!

What an amazing story to go through such trauma and come out on the other side thriving and making meaning in a positive light. I am so happy for you. You have inspired me so much. I wish you all the best and prosperity in life. God bless you.

Stay strong, Cynthia!

Mark, the process is long because victims recant all the time and we know that victims recant therefore they don’t just drop the charges immediately. We have to see if they are really sticking to their recantation. Also, we know that families put pressure on victims to recant… I say we because I worked for a child protective services for over 25 years and I don’t know how many victims I had recant because of the pressure from their family and the guilt that they felt. I know I had some victims recant. The criminal case was dropped. Then years later they came back and said “yeah what happened was true, but I couldn’t go through with it because of my family.” And at that point the cops and the district attorney don’t want to take the case because the victim already looks like a liar.

PAAR (Pittsburgh Action Against Rape) is a really helpful nonprofit here if you ever want extra support, Cynthia! 🖤💛 EMDR is amazing! IFS therapy and microdose psychedelics may be helpful for you too in the future. Best wishes for continuing recovery!

Cynthia, thank you very much for sharing your story with us. Im wishing you the best in the future to come. Much respect to you! 💜🙌

Good guy in the daylight, what a statement. Cynthia, part of your healing is watching over those 2 young ladies and raising them right. I am so glad you have a partner that is on that healing journey with you. Btw your smile is beautiful.

She laid it out. Unless you can run away, or someone is willing to take you in, you're stuck until you have the means to escape. I used to believe, when the internet came along, that men like him would often get busted, bc of technology. I was naive to think at the least that kids would start recording abuse in the home. In the early '70s, my bro tape recorded my mother threatening to kill our father. We wanted proof if she carried thru. Even with solid proof, people will still deny. We are an incredible species, JFC. Cynthia, any shame & guilt needs handed back to these parents. You told, had to recant, & that happens often. Outrageous. The wrath of the whole family would come down on us, making life even worse if we didn't "cooperate" for 20 minutes, again & again. The dissociation was next level, a survival mechanism we had to deal with on top of the abuse, on top of being sacrificed & scapegoated, & later told were just liars. It's devastating. It took decades for me to stop dissociating during normal conversations. I wanted to say take all the time you need to heal right now. Don't speed it up. I promise you chances are it will, in the future, stay on the back burner in your mind, always there but not impacting daily life how it does now. It's now over 50 years since I told, & wasn't believed as a child, & got punished instead. People are weak; we are not. We broke the cycle. An aside: my mother told me, crying, that she got r*ped as a child by a neighbor but she never told a soul. I was the first person she trusted with this secret. I can't tell you how much I wanted to say are you serious? You expect me to believe you when you *still* don't believe me? But I didn't. Anyway, keep speaking, Cynthia. You have helped a lot of us out here. Most of all you're healing yourself, & you so deserve the very best life has to offer. Take care.

I so relate to the monster/good parent split. You are so beautiful, Cynthia and so brave. I relate to the guilt and the shame dynamic.

That man and Cynthia's mother are hiding behind the fact that he took the responsibility to raise another man's child. So, he decided to get his money back by turning her into his sex slave. The mother was okay with that. It's happening because of her bad choices anyway. In that case both parents should have been arrested.

That last comment towards Mark was quite nice, and I agree with her.

Your voice is so powerful. Keep shining and healing 🫶

I completely understand her say “he’s a good guy” after what he’s done to her doesn’t validate his actions yet it does because why should she get therapy for abuse he caused her smh I’m the same way.

I had a lot of rage towards men. Therapyi is life changing.. I am definitely heterosexual. I have learned how to be empowered. I let him know he altered my life and that the abuse was NOT okay. He died last year. He left his entire estate to a distant relative. I have no regrets. I now believe in a higher power.

Keep the shame and guilt out. Those feelings you didn't ask for, those feelings don't belong to you. Bravo for telling your story, it just may help another ❤

The woman is going to be ok. I pray she gets stronger every day that passes. Thank U for sharing your story. 🙏🏿

What a lovely, beautiful person! Thank you so much for sharing your experiences

Thank you for sharing Cynthia ❤

This is an important interview. This lady is brave to explain a situation that describes deep dysfunction that makes ppl extremely uncomfortable to face.

Thank you for sharing your story with us. You are such a beautiful soul.❤

The laws need to change....women trying to escape family violence recant all the time and then the abuse continues and many die at the hands of their abuser...when children speak up authorities neeed much better training to better understand why a child would recant....the system needs an overhaul because of any kind of abuse in particular for children....where were the experts that no doubt understand child abuse...peace to you Cynthia....the system and most importantly your family failed you...this person i a ped....evil person