Actor Hosea Chanchez revealed a heartbreaking secret on Instagram on Tuesday. Chanchez said his friend's father, identified as Issac Sanders, molested him when he was a teenager.

"I'm Hosea Chanchez and when I was 14 years old I was molested BY my friend's father," he captioned a photo of himself when he was a child. "This man is a predator, preying on children who's trust he's falsely built through lies, manipulation, threats and secrets."

In a series of slides, the Black Lightning star explained how Sanders allegedly groomed him before the assault. Sanders reportedly knew Chanchez was raised by a single mother, so he played on the young star's wish for a father figure.

"He knew my father wasn't in my life and my mother was a single mom, so he would always tell me I was like his other son so I can trust he's always looking for me," he said. "Further building my trust and commitment to his predatory agenda."

After gaining trust, Chanchez claimed Sanders began to ask him sexually charged questions about his love life and sexual activity.

"A week before this day, my friend's dad was asking me what type of girls I liked and if I had sex with a girl yet," he said. "I didn't know at the time, but he was trying to see where my boundaries were. He was using false hyper-masculinity as a way to sniff out my comfort level with sex and privacy."

The questions continued until Sanders reportedly molested Chanchez during a car ride. After Sanders finished, he threatened Chanchez.

"He told me he's a very powerful man and if I'd ever told anyone he would ruin my life and no one would believe me anyways," the actor said.

Chanchez, known for his character in "The Game," said he hopes sharing his story will help other sexual abuse survivors and instill shame into abusers.

"Pedophiles have no place in our society. They hide in the open and rape children who are afraid to speak up because of shame, guilt, fear, denial and the thought that no one will believe them," he wrote. "I'm doing this to help parents and young children become aware of some of the signs and better protect themselves from sexual predators."

Chanchez received a slew of supportive messages.

He responded to the love with another Instagram post.

"THANK YOU to everyone for your support, the calls, texts, emails and posts, I'm HUMBLED," he captioned a picture of a Bible verse. "Before I wrote the letter I prayed and asked GOD to allow the message be received by anyone who needs help, healing and courage. Thankfully my prayers were answered. Thanks to every one of you for the positivity, encouragement and love."

 

Hosea-ChanchezSexual assaultSexual-abuse