Michael Cashman talks about being sexually abused

MEP and former Eastenders actor, Michael Cashman, has talked for the first time about being sexually abused. The incident happened when he was a child, he told Kate Silverton while giving an interview on BBC Radio 5 live. 

A news report just prior to the interview included Sue Minto, head of ChildLine, talking about the figures around children in care calling the helpline.

Michael, who is also a founder of Stonewall, the lesbian, gay and bisexual charity, said that hearing the ChildLine report suddenly encouraged him to talk about what happened to him when he was eight.

He went on to say that, "When organisations like ChildLine get it right, nobody says, "Brilliant!" - but we should." He admitted that he had never told his family about the incident because he wasn't sure if his own recognition of himself as gay was a contributing factor.

ChildLine is the UK's free confidential helpline dedicated to children and young people. It is available by phone and online 24 hours a day while the ChildLine website features advice, creative tools, videos and games to help children express how they feel and give them the confidence to speak out.