An astounding one in three women and one in six men will be raped in their lifetime. Of these, 3.3% are reported.
Rape is not talked about, but it needs to be.
Here are 10 things nobody will tell you about the rape... but you probably need to hear:
1. You didn’t have to say “no” or “stop” for it to be rape. Don’t put blame on yourself just because you froze or were unable to speak. Many rape survivors are unconscious and many experience a phenomenon where they can not speak, and freeze up. This is not uncommon and if you experienced this, please know... it is not your fault.
2. It’s still rape, even if you got hard or wet. Even if you did not consent to something, it’s not unusual for victims to experience body responses like these. This is a natural defence mechanism to prevent damage or harm to your body.
3. Rape is often a grey area. You may not feel like you were raped because when you think of rape, you imagine a dark man in an alleyway. Statistics show that these public violations are rare, and 58% of perpetrators are people known to the victim... often family, partners, or friends. Don’t let anyone invalidate your trauma just because it was not stereotypical. If someone had sex with you against your consent, they raped you... and it’s not your fault.
4. You may not acknowledge it for weeks or months. Rape victims often refuse to identify their experience as a rape until they are psychologically able to handle the idea. This is normal. If you are realizing you were raped, do not let time make you feel any less valid. Healing is different for everyone.
5. Over time, you will feel better. You may even feel better soon afterwards. You are going to have relapses and experience symptoms that you are uncertain about. This is okay. This is normal. Trauma is hard for the body to heal from. Often, triggers or side effects do not show up for months or years after.
6. You still deserve love. There will be someone who can love you. Your family will still love you. Most of all, you can still love yourself. It’s not your fault. You are strong for getting through this and you will only get stronger.
7. Just because you did not report, doesn’t mean you are making it up. People may try to convince you that it was all in your head, or that you are an attention seeker. This could not be further from the truth. You are strong. Talking about it takes guts. I understand if you could not report. 96.7% of victims do not report because of the lack of belief, support, and prosecution. Taking it to court can be just as traumatizing, if not more, than the rape itself. I understand. And you are doing fine. You are valid, and you are okay. Deal with this how you need to.
8. Therapy is not necessary right away. Seek therapy only when you need to... but do seek it at some point. If you are not ready for therapy but need support, phone a help-line.
9. You are not any less of a man, or woman, if you are raped. This does not define you.
10. I love you. I love you despite what happened. Understand that these words will be spoken to you some day, and that every day is another step closer to peace.
Do not give up.
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