Jessica Willis Fisher Opens Up About Reporting Her Father Due to Child Rape

Jessica Willis Fisher The Willis Family Toby Willis Unspeakable sexual abuse child abuse

By Camille Hutchison , Parent Herald Oct 30, 06:14 pm

The former TLC Star Jessica Willis Fisher shares her harrowing story in her new memoir called "Unspeakable" which will be out this coming November 1. The singer-songwriter recounts life with her family including the sexual and child abuse she suffered at the hands of her own father, Toby Willis before they got popular on America's Got Talent and their short-lived TLC series entitled "The Willis Family."

The family band's TV show was eventually got canceled in early 2016, shortly before the now 52-years-old father was arrested in September 2016 and charged with one count of child rape. Almost a year after, three additional counts were added and in July 2017, the father of 12, pleaded guilty to four counts of child rape and was soon sentenced to 40 years in prison.

The "My History" singer opens up about facing her own trauma throughout her book and leaning on family and her husband, Sean Fisher, throughout her healing journey. Below, in an exclusive excerpt from the book, the "Fire Song" singer recalls summoning the courage to put an end to the pattern of abuse she observed and reported her father to the authorities.

The "Brand New Day" singer says her book serves as her witness statement.

Recalling the sufferings she went through

The "You Move Me" singer in chapter 1 of her book entitled "Early Childhood" narrates how she went back to examine the earliest memories of her life. But she noted that there are only three short scenes she can remember as far as she can as she also tries not to squeeze too tight so the memories won't shatter and disappear altogether.

The 30-year-old singer says the traumatic memories spring forth and immediately dissipate without much in the way of context. She first remembers being potty trained but what she can remember the most is when she purposely avoided going to the toilet and would pee in her panties instead. She remembers feeling the carpet damp and slightly warm underneath her as she peed and would mostly hide under the knobby legs of an old upright piano.

The "Hopelessly, Madly" singer says she also remembers her father leaning over her and touching a part of her body while she wears a loose and adult-sized T-shirt. She also recalls her dad saying things she doesn't really understand such as "Daddies like it when mommies do this" while he uses an almost quiet voice. Her mother, on the other hand, is in the shower and when she finished taking a bath, she feels as if she should speak but adding that she's only three or maybe four that time and she won't have the necessary words yet. Sadly, according to People, she stood frozen in the power of such a moment for the next twenty years.

"We all carry baggage from our pasts and upbringings"

The singer stated that the songs were too personal in nature that she won't really care if some things won't matter or the public can't relate as long as people would feel the emotions behind the song. One of the songs Jessica wrote is "Fire Song" which addresses her personal story.

She aims to remind people that "we all carry baggage from our pasts and upbringings" that hangs around our necks such as a yoke and weighs us down. She sets out to accomplish and fulfills in "Fire Song." The family was known as the Willis Family or commonly known by the stage name The Willis Clan, Saving Country Music says.