Ser'Darius Blain Opens Up About Childhood Sexual Abuse

“Jumanji’s”  Ser'Darius Blain opened up about childhood sexual assault.

When the actor was 6 years old, he befriended a 16-year-old boy who lived down the street. One day, while the 2 were swimming in an apartment complex’s pool, the older boy pulled down his pants and repeatedly touched Blain inappropriately.  

“You blame yourself for not getting yourself out of the situation,” he explained. “And so that’s why reading some of these accounts with the #MeToo movement, I can sympathize and empathize with some of the victims and understand why they took so long to say something. Or some of the ones who didn’t say — haven’t, still haven’t said anything at all.”

It was a long journey for the 31-year-old to seek out help. He believes Black men especially have a hard time communicating their feelings publicly.

“Black men, we have a lot of stuff to deal with in the country. And I think that, when it comes to  mental health and our emotional health, I mean that’s something that should be a priority,” Blain said. “As a Black man, specifically, we’re only allowed two emotions. That’s happy or mad. We’re not allowed to be confused or conflicted. You know, or sad or depressed — we’re only allowed to emotions and even when we’re happy, you can’t be too happy because that’s corny.”

But fatherhood motivated him to focus on his own healing in order to move forward — and he’s encouraging other to honor their emotions.