Hi, I’m not here to share my story. Because I already did that (http://www.bravemissworld.com/share_your_story/fear-became-a-part-of-my-life) I’m here to tell you all, that there is hope for us. After almost 1 month of joining this site/forum and telling my story, yesterday (with the help of my boyfriend), I finally got the courage and strength to tell my mom. And even though I was consumed with fear and sadness at this point, I let it all out. And now I wonder…Why did I keep it to myself for so long? After almost 7 years of that incident, I finally did it. (Shout out to the people here who helped me and encouraged me to do it!) And I have to got to say, she took it in a really nice way. She’s always been a strong woman, and I admire her for that. So she has been really supportive. And I just want to say, that if there’s… Continue reading »
She Should Be Over It
A year ago, one of my best friends, who happens to be a guy, broke down to me about issues his girlfriend was having. He wasn’t crying, or sad, or hurt..he was angry, as he told me about how her ex had forced her a while ago (they had been together for almost a year already), he thought she should be over it. What he didn’t know, was that I had went through something of the same nature less than a year before that, and I’am still not over it now. His words, She Should Be Over It. They’re still with me. His words weren’t meant for me, and he will probably never even consider that his lesbian best friend who was considered tough amongst their group, went through anything like that. But, when I wake up in the middle of the night, gasping for air afraid to move because my dreams to fresh and… Continue reading »
My Snowball Effect
My life has been a serious of many many struggles. But, I am grateful that they happened because I wouldn’t be the person that I am today. It started with my parents relationship. It was ever really good. But at the age of nine, I caught my Father cheating on my mom. He was emailing this woman because he knew that Mom had no idea how to use a computer(my mother is from another country). As a child at the age of nine, I instantly told my mom. It felt like a personal attack to me because my father seemed perfect to me. I mean, they fought like a normal couple does, but nothing more. I talked to my dad and it seemed like things were gonna change. I never saw that side of my dad before. Due to this happening, it caused a lot of anxiety, I didn’t trust anyone, and I started to… Continue reading »
Was it rape? Or my fault?
I am not sure if what happen is even considered rape… but I am really hoping someone can help me figure this out. It all started when I was 17 years old I was going through a break up and I was not the best version of myself. My brothers best friend started flirting with me over face book and I thought an older guy would be just what I needed to fix my broken heart. He was 24 at the time and we started talking and hanging out very casually and we mutually decided to have sex which we did about 2 times before I regretted it. I was at a party and was drinking and started texting him and he told me to come over which I thought I’m not completely drunk so why not. At that time I didn’t know how drunk he really was but any who I ended up going… Continue reading »
God Saved Me
The Lord saved me and my son from death. My boyfriend (his daddy) was a drunk and I was afraid to leave since he told me that he would hunt me down if I did so. The lord knew that I couldn’t take it anymore so he sent him home. My son now has brain damage due to his father and I have nightmares — Survivor, age 27
Exposing Rapists – A Poem
You will never be free Dark is your secret Whatever you do Whoever you become However you dress That secret will turn acidy Drown it with beer Bury it in anger Throw yourself into work Grow your beard Marry the best Protect your daughters Still it will eat your insides You can never outrun it Best the truth be known Own your wrong Confess it publically Betrayer of the innocent User of violence You had no rights to another’s body You are a rapist
Hostage
For almost four years we were held hostage by two perpetrators, with my kids in Nevada. We learned first hand the meaning of torture, mental abuse, verbal abuse and sexual physical abuse. When you escape you think it’s over. The then DA didn’t show up for his job. So in a last ditch effort all was pleaded down to child abuse. He served 6 years of a 12 year sentence. All other charges thrown out. Kidnapping etc. I had to spend ten years trying to terminate his parental rights. We were finally successful. We have been battered by the system that is supposed to protect you. In this country, they don’t care what happens to woman and children! We have been stalked constantly, since his release from prison. It’s a “Good Old Boy mentality.” Welcome to the USA! No one wants to hear about this! — Survivor, age 57
The Summer of 2013
Trauma. This word can describe many things. PTSD. Car accidents. Deaths. Rape. It can mean a variety of situations, each different from the rest. My brother and I both experienced trauma. In the summer of 2013, my brother was molested, and I experienced verbal sexual abuse. And the worst part of it all, was that the abuser was my 13-year-old cousin. She was our baby-sitter for that summer. My brother and I had a great relationship with my two cousins, Amber and Brianna. Brianna being the younger one, the same age as me at that time. Amber was hired by my mother through my aunt, her sister. Occasionally, my younger cousin would tag along for the day, dropped off by my aunt in the mornings. My brother and I were only 9 years old, our minds too young to process that anything that happened that summer was wrong. Amber was to be dropped off at… Continue reading »
Someone I Thought I Could Trust
It was summer 2016, I was 17 at the time almost 18. I was in karate for 7 years, I had quit when I was 13 or 14. By this time my mom was still going and I decided to go with her to watch. I saw a few people I knew from when I had gone to the lessons. The main instructor barely recognized me but was very happy to see me. Another instructor recognized me immediately and was acting strange and different. I thought he was just being dorky and funny, but when I got home, he had messaged me. I thought it was weird at first but I went along with it. “He hadn’t seen me in a while, he probably wants to catch up.” I thought. Then he started acting inappropriately, saying I was hot and that he wanted pictures of me. A man that was 10 years older, someone who… Continue reading »
Thank you
Dear Brave Miss World Community, For the last two years I have had the privilege of reading and responding to many of your posts. It is an honor to hold space and watch healing unfold as survivors share their experiences, many for the first time. I wanted to take a moment to let you all know that I will be taking a short break from responding to Brave Miss World posts, as I am writing a book on sexual assault and rape on college campuses. It is taking a lot of my time and I want to make sure that I can give each survivor the time and respect they deserve. My plan is to be back in June when the book is complete. Until then I encourage you all to continue supporting each other. One path to healing is having other survivors who understand and stand with us in solidarity. Each of you bring… Continue reading »