MURFREESBORO, TN (WGNS) — As a child growing up in a strict, performance-driven household, Jessica Willis Fisher was known to the public as a member of The Willis Clan—a homeschooled musical family with a clean-cut image and national TV exposure. But behind the curtain, she was enduring unimaginable trauma.
Now 33, Willis Fisher is speaking out about the sexual, physical, and emotional abuse she suffered for over two decades at the hands of her father, Toby Willis. Her memoir, Unspeakable: Surviving My Childhood and Finding My Voice, reveals the chilling details of her experience—and her eventual escape.
“I was in a chronic, long-term abusive situation where I wasn’t able to get the help I needed as a kid and as a teen,” said Willis Fisher. “It made things really hard in my adult life.”
In 2016, she reported the abuse to authorities, leading to her father’s arrest. In 2017, Toby Willis pleaded guilty to four counts of child rape and is now serving a 40-year sentence at Northwest Correctional Complex in Tiptonville, Tennessee.
A Hidden Hell Behind the Spotlight
The Willis children were raised in a fundamentalist Christian home that demanded absolute obedience under the guise of “God’s will.” Despite public appearances and TV fame, Jessica described the home as a “living hell” ruled by fear and manipulation.
At 24, during what she described as “just another day of assault,” something inside her broke. After a violent beating from her father, she realized: “This is not right. This should not be happening. And this is not going to happen again.”
That moment became her turning point.
Though forbidden from owning a cell phone and closely monitored, she confided in her mother and ultimately left, fleeing to a relative’s home. There was no master plan—just a bag and hope for freedom.
Healing Through Advocacy and Music
Willis Fisher now devotes herself to raising awareness about child sexual abuse and advocates for the Child Advocacy Center of Rutherford and Cannon Counties. The nonprofit provides forensic interviews, counseling, and resources to child victims and their non-offending family members.
“When I learned about Child Advocacy Centers, it was an incredibly emotional experience,” she said. “Knowing there are people doing this work helps me remember I’m not alone.”
Through initiatives like “Darkness to Light” training, the center teaches adults how to recognize, respond to, and prevent child sexual abuse.
Her Voice Reclaimed
Since her escape, Willis Fisher has rebuilt her life. She married husband Sean Fisher and launched a solo music career. Her debut album Brand New Day and follow-up Blooming reflect her journey from trauma to healing.
While her story is one of strength and resilience, she acknowledges not everyone can escape abuse on their own—and many victims never receive the support they need.
“There’s a lot of healing that can be had,” she said. “But it all depends on how much support we are given and when we are given it.”
For more information or to support efforts to prevent child sexual abuse, visit cacrutherford.org.