Pamela Anderson, who made a career using her sexuality in the pages of Playboy and on Baywatch, recently revealed that she was a victim of mutiple cases of sexual abuse throughout her childhood.

Pamela Anderson Opens Up About Sexual Abuse

Anderson, 46, spoke at a charity event co-hosted by designer Vivienne Westwood at the Cannes Film Festival to launch her namesake foundation that will endeavor to fight for “human, animal and environmental rights.” While explaining her motivation to start the foundation, Anderson opened up about her abuse-riddled childhood.

By her own account, Anderson grew up with a well-meaning alcoholic for a father and a mother who worked two jobs in order to support the family. "I did not have an easy childhood," she said. "Despite loving parents, I was molested from age 6 to 10 by my female babysitter."

A couple of years later, Anderson found herself the victim of sexual assault once more. "I went to a friend's boyfriend's house," she said. "While she was busy, the boyfriend's older brother decided he would teach me backgammon, which led into a back massage, which led into rape — my first heterosexual experience. He was 25 years old, I was 12."

When Anderson was in her early teens, her first relationship led to yet another traumatic experience. "My first boyfriend in grade 9 decided it would be funny to gang rape me, with six of his friends,” she told the assembled crowd. “Needless to say, I had a hard time trusting humans. I just wanted off this Earth."

Having lost her trust in humans, Anderson turned towards animals and nature for connection and comfort. After finding success in the entertainment industry, she was able to use her money and influence to change animal-welfare laws in more than 20 countries. She’s also an active member of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

To this day, Anderson admits she still has trouble trusting men, saying that other than her sons, the “only man” she trusts is her husband Rick Salomon.