WNBA star Breanna Stewart says she was sexually abused as a child

Breanna Stewart is: an All-Star forward with the Seattle Storm; a four-time national champion from her time with the UConn Huskies; an Olympic gold medalist; a survivor.

In a personal essay for The Players' Tribune entitled "Me Too," the 23-year-old said she was sexually abused as a child. Starting at age 9, Stewart wrote she was molested for two years by a "construction worker" who lived with a relative.

Stewart hopes that sharing her story will inspire others who have suffered abuse to seek help. As Stewart said her father told her, her bravery could "save someone's life."

"That’s why I’m writing this," Stewart wrote. "This is bigger than me."

Stewart continued: "In sharing, I know that no matter how uncomfortable I typically am making things about myself, as a public survivor, I now assume a certain responsibility. So I’ll start by saying this: If you are being abused, tell somebody. If that person doesn’t believe you, tell somebody else. A parent, a family member, a teacher, a coach, a friend’s parent. Help is there."

Stewart says the unidentified man was arrested and confessed to police.