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Singh says childhood abuse steeled him for scrutiny and stress of politics

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says he decided to "take a chance" and share his story of childhood sexual abuse in hopes of helping other victims. He recounts the assaults for the first time in his book, Love & Courage , released today.
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NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh speaks with reporters in the Foyer of the House of Commons during a marathon voting session Thursday March 21, 2019 in Ottawa. Singh says he decided to "take a chance" and share his story of childhood sexual abuse in hopes of helping other victims. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says he decided to "take a chance" and share his story of childhood sexual abuse in hopes of helping other victims.

He recounts the assaults for the first time in his book, Love & Courage, released today.

Singh says he was abused when he was 10 years old, by a martial-arts instructor.

He tells The Canadian Press he feels a responsibility to use his national platform in a way that could do some good.

He also says his childhood experiences have helped him to handle public scrutiny as a national political leader.

Singh says that even if he endures a lot of criticism, the experience isn't "nearly as bad" as what he's lived through before.