Duck Dynasty's Jep Robertson Admits It's Been ''Hard'' Opening Up About Past Sexual Abuse: "It's Embarrassing''

Reality star explains why he was so candid in his new book with Jessica Robertson

By Mike Vulpo Jun 17, 2015 1:57 AMTags
Jep Robertson, Duck DynastyRussell Graves

Jep Robertson is ready to open up like never before.

With help from his wife Jessica Robertson, the Duck Dynasty star is bravely sharing new details about his childhood that featured sexual abuse. Even with the best intentions, the 37-year-old admits the process of revealing personal details has been a challenge. 

"It's kind of hard for me," Jep admitted to E! News when being interviewed in the comfort of his West Monroe, La., family home. "It's embarrassing and all that so I didn't do it to get any attention for sure."

He added, "I just did it to try to help others who've been through something similar."

Watch: Jep Robertson Admits Being Sexually Abused as a Child

In the new book titled The Good, the Bad, and the Grace of God, the youngest son of Duck Commander Phil Robertson describes being molested as a child and his reluctance to tell anyone until only a few years ago.

Because of his secret, Jep struggled with alcohol abuse and ultimately had a family intervention.

"[Jep's mom] Kay didn't even know all those years that it happened," Jessica explained. "We talk a lot with our kids and we want them to know that no matter, it wasn't their fault and you can always come to us."

Thomas Nelson

As to why Jep kept his abuse a secret for so long, it turns out the A&E star was simply hoping that the pain would go away with time.

"If you think long enough—and I think I did—that it didn't happen or I'm just never going to think about it again, it will never come back again," he explained. "What's sad is I'd look on Twitter and I saw several comments like ‘How could you remember something when you were six years old?'"

He added, "This went on for a couple of years. I know exactly what happened. There's no I think or maybe."

For more on Jep and Jessica's candid new book, watch E! News tonight at 7 and 11 p.m.