Jessica’s Story: Once Upon a Time
Once upon a time, there was a girl who experienced her first sexual orgasm. That girl was me, Jessica. It all happened one day around 1997 when my older half sister asked if she could perform a lewd sex act
Louise’s Story: He was jealous of my new friendship
If this becomes long, sorry! So April/May 2016, thanks to a newspaper article I get back in touch with an old friend. He asks me if I’m happy in the relationship I am currently in with my partner, I admit
Rebecca’s Story: My story of abuse and aftermath
I have a lot of problems, trust is the biggest one, I am always scared of being hurt again, but I am slowly working my way back to the person I used to be, the one who was stolen and locked away but is slowly reemerging, I will make it.
Anonymous Story: Sexual assault is no joke, trust me.
At that moment in time I didn't even care about what had just happened to me because I was just so focused on trying to help my friend, trying all I could to wake her up but I couldn't move. It was like I was in a room full of people and I was screaming but no one could hear me.
Isadora’s Story: How my sexual abuser reminds me of Trump
But, Trump's "just kiss. Don't wait" guy talk shit or whatever we want to call it is a REAL problem and a REAL attitude men have. I can draw a direct parallel with my first experience. All through being touched inappropriately in ways I did NOT want, did NOT consent to, and was physically struggling to get away from, I was told over and over "I told you I fancied you, just give me one kiss, just one kiss, come on."
Anonymous Story: I Thought it was Over…
I have been manipulated, lied too and I was lonely. I was expressing my feelings all over social media, hoping they would realise what they have done. Instead he made himself the victum in the situation…and this was only the
Shaelan’s Story: When I Can’t Sleep
Now, i want to start off by saying that i was never raped but my experience lasted 8 years of my life and i always felt like i couldn’t compare myself to the ones who had been but my story
Elizabeth’s Story: My Worst Nightmare
Nobody really knows my whole, true story. I don’t like to talk about it; however, I think people need to quit assuming they know everything and gossiping, slut shaming me, and making it seem as though I was never a
Anonymous Story: Finding a way to move on
I was a Sophomore in college and it was first semester. I am now a 5th year college student because I almost failed out of school the year of my assult due to psychological issues from the assult. I had
Lulu’s Story: Shame and Abuse
I was 14, going into Sophomore year. He was 17 and a senior with a cool car, a perfect transcript, and a sports and voice state title. He was smooth talking and charming and sweet and cute and polite and
Octavia’s Story: It was the man I trusted most
My mind went crazy with ideas on how to escape …he came at me …i had no where to go …he pushed me into the floor …i screamed for [C] so much that i didn't recognize my own voice
E’s Story: He Knew I Always Kept My Socks On
I remember sitting in the shower, and not being able to cry, I was so in shock over what had happened. It didn’t even occur to me right away what that was. I just wanted to keep showering. I wanted the water to be hot enough that it would wash my skin off, so I could be someone else. I envisioned my skin washing off like paint and running down the drain, I wanted to be someone else. Someone who could never ever be in that position. I wanted to be someone who could remember what happened.
After I shared
Like a lot of survivors who have shared their stories, I had no idea what to expect afterwords. I had drafted up my story in October, shortly after I was interviewed for an article by The Canadian Press. My uncle,
K.Y.’s Story: Twice, never reported.
The next day I left to my own city and got a rape kit done. The clinician there informed me that because alcohol was involved " it would be more harm than good to report this to the police." " You'll just end up spending a year or more in court reliving the experience, and you likely won't get anything from it"
Shaindel Beers: After Sharing my Story
The one lesson that I have taken from having this piece published is that we need better education for men. Rape and sexual harassment are not “women’s issues.” These issues hurt everyone. Men need to know what to do when they see a woman being disrespected. A lot of the rhetoric is troubling – Would you want someone to treat your mother that way? Or your sister? – because women should be valued not in relation to someone else but just as people. I don’t know how to get us there.
Here’s what happens when you share your story
I've been trying since I got home to sit down and write a post about how the first day of the When You're Ready Project went, but I can't. I've been glued to my phone and keyboard corresponding with the countless people who have reached out with words of support and encouragement, to thank me, and to share their stories. This day has been the biggest emotional roller coaster I've been on in my entire life. And the best.
WYR Project: Day 1
I pictured my sister crying, wondering why I never told her. She did cry. But she also told me this: "There is such great power in doing this, Lauren. I've heard it said that shame loses its power when we are fully known and truly delighted in. I delight in you completely."