London, October 13 : Filmmaker Tyler Perry has revealed that Oprah Winfrey inspired her to speak up about his horrific childhood days when he was abused by members of his family.

Earlier this month, the helmer had written an email to fans disclosing the violence he suffered at the hands of his father and paternal grandmothers during his childhood.

He had also revealed that a man in his neighbourhood had molested him.

Now, the ‘Madea Goes To Jail’ filmmaker has said that a 1991 special episode of the Oprah Winfrey Show, in which she spoke about the verbal and physically abuse she was subjected to by her family members, made him realise how cathartic letting his secrets out could be.

"After I found a dictionary and looked up ''cathartic,'' I realised what she (Winfrey) was saying, so I started writing," the Daily Star quoted him as telling People. com.

Perry added that his new movie ‘Precious,’ co-produced with Winfrey, would raise the issue of child abuse.

He said: "The story of abuse in our community and in many communities is still a taboo subject." (ANI)