I was abused by my HIV positive dad | Life Stories

SITTING in the clinic waiting room, Lauren Sullivan waited anxiously for her blood test results with mixed feelings of anger and dread.

She was just 14 years old and after being subjected to a reign of abuse at the hands of her own dad, she was about to find out whether she'd contracted the potentially deadly HIV virus, from him.

Lauren has bravely waived her right to anonymity to tell her story for our interview series. Watch above.

Read more:

[India.H]

Reduced to 8 due to pleading guilty and only serving 4? He raped a child, knowing he had HIV, not broke into a liquor store.

[lalakuma]

It's insane that this monster was out after 4 years, what he did should have been considered attempted murder.

[sandyp]

My father got exactky the same sentence. 12 years. But he pleaded not guilty so i had to give evidence over 2 days. This destroyed me. I never got over it. But despite the fact he never admitted guilt, he was still allowed out of jail after 4 years. He moved back to my town and i just saw him one day in wh smith. It was the most traumatic moment. I just ran. The only reteibution in my story is that he died 7 weeks later. A massive heart attack. He had named me as next of kin. The council tried to force me to clean his flat and pay for his funeral. I absolutely refused. There was jsut no way i was puttint my family into debt for this man and i didnt want to touch his stuff. Someone told me he had taken in a cat who was wandering the streets since he died. We went and found the cat. We loved the cat dearly and she spent the rest of her life with us and died aged 17 with her family all around her. But him, he had a pauper council funeral that no one attended. I dont even know whether he was buried or cremated and i dont care. Survivors have very little justice in this country. The court system is a joke and very traumatic for victims.

[Ladybug_tugga_wug]

I met a man who was sexually assaulted as a small child and contracted hiv. You could see the dark cloud over his head. I feel so bad for him 😢

[angelica]

Imagine being so excited to have your father back in your life, only to discover through repeated atrocities just what type of person he is. Not to mention the guilt this person made you feel when he was clearly the perpetrator. I hope it goes without saying that none of this was your fault. I wish you happiness and peace. You are a remarkable human. ♥️

[dazronch]

As a father of 3 girls I can’t understand how any man could look at his own daughter in that way and do what he did to her how could he live with himself he should have been made to do the 12 years and more in my opinion dreadful man.

[AlexisAngelbn]

Sincerely wishing this young lady all the very best ❤

[Stephanie-qiqx]

What a beautiful and brave individual. Thank you for having the courage to speak about this.

[LizStohlman]

4:14 “I just took that all inwards, with guilt, that my dad could potentially make himself sick and potentially even die because he wasn’t taking his medication because of what happened with me”
This is so unbelievably evil and horrid. I can’t believe what a strong woman she is to have gotten through this ❤️

[eleanorwalmsley]

Thank God you didn't that illness.. My heart goes out to you deeply 💖 and I hope you have good immediate support around you and your life balances out and you get all of the happiness you deserve in life.
Well done with helping others.
Wishing you all the very best 💖

[aw]

You are such a strong, courageous and inspirational woman. Thank you for sharing your story your bravery is breaking down stigma and will help so many others to become empowered to let go of their shame of being abused.

[dorisyeo]

Beautiful brave girl. Tks for sharing.

[CrimeTeaTime]

I grew up not having my father in my life and any time I feel upset about it I think of children that grow up with abusive fathers and I think a higher protected me from whatever unnecessary trauma he had.
I hope you find peace in the fact that you had no power in this. Im glad your mom found out and she protected you. ❤

[secretservices]

How is her skin so perfect? Wow. Most beautiful skin I've ever seen

[santacruz]

The guy is a psychopath, nothing else. He should stay in prison for the rest of his life.

[nishapostlethwaite-nishaha]

You're a very brave lady to tell your story to help others, so sorry you had to go through this ordeal

[hellekimery]

Good for you! It’s so important to share this, there are still so many victims out there that are carrying a shame that doesn’t belong to them

[judgejhf]

It’s a relief that her mom found out and alerted authorities right away and had him arrested. It seems with all these cases I watch, the mom doesn’t believe them, doesn’t want to or is upset but doesn’t want to get the father arrested.

[Jasmine-qvgq]

I know this was probably so hard, thank you so much for sharing ❤

[KerrieWakeman]

This poor woman. 😢
Hopefully her life is improving and she’s becoming stronger everyday.
Betrayal by her depraved father!
So sick 🤢
He should be in jail for life. There’s no forgiveness and no coming back from this evil that perpetrators bestow on their victims. 😢😮