Rebekah Vardy opens up about childhood abuse and being shunned by Jehovah’s Witnesses

Rebekah Vardy, who’s greatest identified for being the spouse of English footballer Jamie Vardy and likewise on the centre of the dramatic Wagatha Christie trial final 12 months, has revealed the reality behind her upbringing as a Jehovah’s Witness.

Presenting a brand new Channel 4 documentary titled Rebekah Vardy: Jehovah’s Witnesses and Me, Vardy says that she was raised inside the non secular organisation till the age of 15 when she was shunned from the neighborhood she grew up in, in Norwich.

The movie comes because the Jehovah’s Witnesses, who’re a part of a closed and sometimes secretive faith, have grow to be embroiled in allegations of kid sexual abuse in recent times.

One of the important thing components of the Jehovah’s Witness religion is the idea that the tip of the world is coming quickly, which is one thing Vardy says she was taught rising up.

In one harrowing account within the documentary, Vardy describes how she was abused as a baby, and claims that when she took it to the elders inside the organisation, she was advised that going to the police would convey “shame” on her household and he or she was subsequently shunned.

She described how being shunned – in any other case referred to as disfellowshipped from the organisation – usually means, for many individuals, that they’re minimize off by shut family and friends members.

“From the age of around 12 years old I was being abused,” Vardy advised the digital camera. “So I told my mum about the abuse I was experiencing. She cried but didn’t believe me, [she] told numerous members of my family and Jehovah’s Witnesses members who called a meeting.”

Vardy mentioned that she was not supported when she revealed what had been occurring to her.

“It was put to me [by the elders] that I had misinterpreted the abuse for a form of affection, [even though] I knew well aware what was right and what was wrong.”

“And it was explained that I could potentially bring shame upon my family and I was basically manipulated into thinking it wasn’t the best thing to do to take it any further and take it to the police.

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“I remember there being a big argument and being told to get out and to never come back. It’s hard to see how I survived that,” says Vardy.

Elsewhere within the documentary, Vardy reveals that she has not had contact with members of her household since she left the organisation since aged 15. She has additionally been estranged from her mom for seven years.

“It’s not until you have children that you really become fiercely protective. But yet no one valued me enough to protect me… my kids are everything,” Vardy emotionally tells the digital camera.

Towards the tip of the documentary, Vardy says she understands why members of her household by no means left the Jehovah’s Witnesses.

“When you’re so invested in that, it’s really hard to see the bigger picture when you’re inside those four walls – and I think that’s what makes this organisation so dangerous,” she says.

Channel 4’s Rebekah Vardy: Jehovah’s Witnesses and Me can be aired at 10pm on 16 May.

If you’re a little one and also you need assistance as a result of one thing has occurred to you, you possibly can name the NSPCC freed from cost on 0800 1111. You may name the NSPCC in case you are an grownup and you might be fearful a couple of little one, on 0808 800 5000. The National Association for People Abused in Childhood (Napac) presents assist for adults on 0808 801 0331.

If you might be experiencing emotions of misery, or are struggling to manage, you possibly can converse to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), e mail jo@samaritans.org, or go to the Samaritans web site to search out particulars of your nearest department.