By Mara Wilson
Publication Date: 2026-01-17 12:00:00
When I was a little girl, there was nothing scarier than a stranger.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, children were told by our parents, through television specials, and by teachers that there were strangers out there who wanted to hurt us. “Stranger Danger” was everywhere. It was a well-intentioned lesson, but the risk was exaggerated: most child abuse and exploitation is committed by people the children know. It is much rarer for children to be abused or exploited by strangers.
Less common, but not impossible. I know because I was sexually exploited by strangers.
From the ages of five to 13, I was a child actor. And although we’ve heard a lot of horror stories lately about the abusive things that happen to child actors behind the scenes, I always felt safe while filming. Film sets were tightly regulated spaces where people wanted to get their work done. I had supportive parents and was surrounded by directors, actors and studio teachers who understood and cared about the children.
The only way is show business did threaten…
