In an attempt to raise awareness, Dancing With The Stars‘ Cheryl Burke is coming forward to admit that she was molested as a child.

Cheryl will share her stories of molestation when she was young, as well as the physical abuse she received from boyfriends in her life, in her new book — Dancing Lessons.

Burke says:

“I’m telling my story,”

“They’re not secrets. There’s no shame.”

Though Cheryl was successfully able to overtake her molester in court (he was sent to prison for almost 20 years), the inner pain never dies — especially since he was a trusted family friend  — a retired mailman — who was well liked in their community.

“If I can help just one person,”

“for me that’s all that matters.”

Season 12 of DWTS starts in March.

[images: FayesVision/wenn.com]