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40 years later, woman shares her story of rape at hands of high school teacher

WINTHROP, Mass. — WINTHROP, Mass. -- A local woman she says she was raped repeatedly by one of her high school teachers nearly 40 years ago but was too ashamed to tell anyone until now.

The woman said she was encouraged after seeing women all over the world share their stories of sexual assault through the hashtag #MeToo.

The woman asked not to be identified, but sat down with Boston 25 News reporter Heather Hegedus to speak out and explain why she never came forward before.

“He was supposed to be someone who you look up to as a kid,” the victim said.

She trusted him because he was her teacher and she says he abused her trust because she was an easy target.

“Because I was extremely shy and I was in his class and I was easy to manipulate,” she said.

The woman says the sexual abuse started in 1979 when she was a student at Winthrop High School and had the teacher, who is not being identified because he is not facing charges.

She says she was too afraid to tell anyone including her parents or police.

“I always thought it was my fault and I didn't want to tell anyone, but a couple years ago when I started having physical difficulties and mental strain, not focusing, it started to come around,” she said.

The abuse went on for six years, the woman told Boston 25 News, at school and at the teacher’s house.

The man no longer teaches in Winthrop and has relocated.

Suffolk County District Attorney Dan Conley's office investigated, but criminal charges weren't an option because at the time the statute of limitations was only six years and is long expired.

“Our people thought she was truthful so there was no question there,” Conley said. “This is not uncommon. I've been doing this for a long time and we see victims of sexual assault delay their disclosure.”

With the recent spotlight on sex crimes because of allegations against Hollywood executive Harvey Weinstein and #MeToo, more victims are telling their stories.

Conley said any victims should still come forward, even if they think the case may be too old to prosecute.

“We do a full and thorough investigation and even if we can't bring charges what we do have in this office is a great array of victim/witness advocates,” he said.

The laws changed in 2002 to allow 27 years for teen victims to report sex abuse, and in some situations civil action may be an option.

The victim from Winthrop High School said she’s coming forward to encourage other victims and remind them it’s never too late.

“That's the reason why I'm coming forward so anyone else can come forward,” she said.

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