Which may be one reason sexual assault victims can be so hesitant to report. Sigh. That makes me sad. I get it on some level, I guess, but still. I've said it many times, but after going through an official rape kit and investigation, I would be terrified to report it if it happened again.
Int. Quinn137, and every other sexual assault and rape survivor who has had the courage to post about your experiences here... THANK YOU.
THANK YOU so very much for sharing... I truly believe it is an enormous part of the healing process. I too am a rape survivor, and although I don't want to go into detail right now, I wanted to respond specifically to Quinn's post about the hesitancy to report it.
Even though it was many years ago, the memory of what happened to me will never go away. Time has helped heal, but an experience like this does change a person forever. It just does.
I never reported my rape... I was terrified of so many things, and of the man who attacked me. He knew where I lived... when I was able to finally escape his apartment, my purse and ID were left behind. I am SO lucky to be alive, but all these years later, I deeply regret not reporting it. I was so afraid that because it was a case of date rape, that everything would be turned around and made to appear as if it was my fault. Sadly, this happens a lot, and my rape occurred before all the advances in DNA and forensics were as widely available and reliable as they are today.
All these years later, still very few people know about what really happened to me. I lied to my entire family that it was a skiing accident, and only a couple of close friends knew the truth. It is still very difficult even writing this down, but I did so because of the HUGE thank you and much love that I wanted to share with those here who had and have the continued courage to survive, and to do so with dignity, strength, and grace.
I LOVE you all... that's all for now. xo <3