NEW YORK: Teri Hatcher, the star of Desperate Housewives, has been hailed for her testimony against her uncle who’s abuse resulted in suicide by a young girl.

Hatcher came forward to testify and give evidence, more than 30 years after her uncle Richard Hayes Stone molested her as a child, according to hollywood.com. She decided to testify after she heard that another of her uncle’s victims, 14-year-old Sarah Van Cleemput, had shot herself dead after she suffered four years of similar abuse.

The girl’s parents are thankful that Hatcher had the courage to speak out and have praised her for giving candid interview to Vanity Fair magazine. Hatcher told the magazine about the sexual abuse she suffered as a child.

Sarah’s father Patrick Van Cleemput said: “This man devastated all of our lives. Teri has been battling with it for more than 30 years and is still suffering. To come forward takes great courage.”