Anonymous Story: Only 7 Years Old
Im already crying and wish I would have just died. I try to be the strong funny girl but i'm broken. I feel like anything I do I can't get that day out of my head.
Katie’s Story: Letter to an Asshole
You taught me that the world is not a safe place, that people are not to be trusted. You violated my most basic human right to choose who touches me and when.
N/A’s Story: I made my rapist a bagel
I was sixteen and in the best relationship of my entire life. One that even after the rape, I would stay in and stick out no matter the harm we caused. We were very sexual beings after July 13th when
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
Lauren’s Story: We Deserve Better
The most important thing I have learned is that sex doesn’t need to be scary or forced or painful or hurtful or upsetting, and those are the only words I could have used to describe it when I was with A. I want other women to know that someone being your boyfriend does not give them a free pass to do whatever they want. It might seem like an obvious thing to lots of people, but I think when you’re in the middle of something like that, it feels very complicated.
Laura’s Story: The Night I’ll Never Forget
For a whole year thereafter, I beat myself up over my stupidity for allowing our relationship to escalate that night in New York. The depression and anxiety from that experience followed me around like a dark shadow. Eventually, I began to realize that I had done nothing wrong. I didn't mislead him; he didn't care about what I was saying or doing. I didn't allow it; I felt threatened having a man nearly twice my body weight on top of me. Most importantly, I never consented.
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.
Tay’s Story: A letter to you
So i don't blame you I blame myself. I blame myself for letting you touch my body for letting you lead me back to a tent that I once stayed in as a camper. That i once stayed in as a ten year old little girl so excited for the day when she has her first kiss and excited for when she starts high school. Excited for the world to see who she really is.
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
Wildebeest’s Story: 30 Years
I again sat alone in a waiting room– this time waiting for the "advocate" who was assigned to my case. She came in and was angry. She kept asking me questions I didn't want to answer. She asked me how he undressed me and I didn't want to tell her that I took off my own clothes, so I told her that he did it. She said that proved I was lying. She said that I should still be playing with dolls. She complained that she had been sleeping when the hospital called her in . She sent me to get an exam.
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
College Student’s Story: Broken and Hurt
I am a sophomore in college and at the beginning of the year my friends and I decided to go out to the clubs to celebrate one of my friend’s birthdays. I was dancing and having a good time when
A 17 year old high school student’s story: September 1997
September 1997 “Man, she’s through!” “I can’t get my d*ck in her for sh*t!” “We doing this jungle style!” “I don’t need my d*ck sucked tonight.” “Hold her leg!” Dialogue of the rapists – I was extremely intoxicated with some
Anonymous Story: And It’s My Own Damn Fault
So I immediately got off of him and said I didn't want to have sex. I'm pretty sure I even apologized. I said it multiple times because he incessantly argued with me. Something about that I HAD to let him. I had to let him finish. I couldn't be a tease. I kept saying no! I can't. I don't want to. No. Sorry. No. The more he argued the more afraid I felt, and the more rapidly I started fading. Then I told him that I really needed to sleep. I was about to pass out I physically can't. No. In my mind I reasoned that it all would be over then. When I passed out he'd realize it wasn't happening and he'd leave.
Heather’s Story: March 1 (19, College Freshman)
I woke up naked, confused, and with a blaring headache. Next to me is this guy, naked as well. I check my phone, it's 5 a.m. I get up and leave. I call a friend, because I'm alone and scared. He said, "you know how you get when you drink. I doubt it was for
Anonymous A’s Story: I didn’t know it was rape
I still get nervous if sex isn't on my terms or if I'm at all unsure about it. I sometimes don't go to parties if I'm not certain that I can leave when I want to. I've had more supportive therapists, but I'm still not over it, and it's been almost three or four years. I feel like I don't deserve to call myself a rape victim because I didn't say no. My rapist doesn't consider himself a rapist. I don't like telling the story because I'm always afraid someone will say, "That's not rape. You just made a stupid decision." I've since realized that I've done this before; the second time I had sex, no one asked my permission. The guy just stuck his penis in me without even asking if I wanted to use a condom. I was inexperienced. I just went along with it. I thought maybe that was how people who'd had a lot of sex had sex. And now that I know it wasn't okay and that it wasn't consensual, I feel so stupid and unsure about almost every subsequent sexual decision I've ever made.
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."