Kay Hansen: MMA was an escape after “I was raped and sexually abused by my father for years as a teenager”

Former UFC fighter Kay Hansen opened up about the trauma she experienced during her rise from youth athlete to teenage professional fighter and beyond.

“My successes and struggles have all been in the public eye for many years, but behind the scenes everyone has a story,” Hansen wrote on social media Tuesday with a link to a new mini-documentary video. “I was raped/SA (sexually assaulted) by my father for years as a teenager. Fighting/training was my escape and the only form of reality I had any real control over.”

The 23-minute video project from the team at Jorge Barbosa, Cynthia Vance And Mark Johnston, in collaboration with Invicta FC, among others, released on Tuesday. The documentary depicts a harrowing and emotional journey that led to Hansen separating from her father, who was her long-time coach, and experiencing emotional relief and a rebuilding process thereafter.

“I never spoke about the abuse I suffered for fear of possible consequences,” Hansen wrote. “I’m not telling my story to ‘help people get to know me’, but rather to use the platform my sport has given me to encourage someone who is or has been in a similar situation. Sexual abuse is far too common, but is often swept under the rug. You don’t have to go through this alone. You deserve peace and justice. There is always a light at the end of the tunnel.”

Check out the full documentation above.

Hansen, 23, has not competed since leaving the UFC in 2022 after a 1-3 stint. After her release from the UFC, she signed with Invicta FC, but did not fight for the promotion when she returned. Eight of her first nine professional fights came under the Invicta banner. Hansen joined the UFC at the age of 21, making her one of the youngest women to compete in the promotion’s history.

The story originally appeared on MMA Junkie