First of all hi, I always felt the need to share my story. when i was 17 i was dating this really nice guy (at least i thought he was nice at the time.) A few months before my 18th birthday we were in my car having a nice conversation and then everything went wrong he pulled down my pants and raped me. im not going to go into to much detail because i have blocked most of it out. i just remember that it happened twice now it is almost 6 months later and i cannot be alone in a room with just men, even though i know that these men wont hurt me. anyone can get raped it doesn’t matter who you are. i didn’t think it was going to happen to me but it did.
— Survivor, age 18
I am sorry that that happened to you. No one deserves to go through that and it’s scary thinking of what people are capable of. Please just know you are strong, brave, and not alone. Thank you so much for posting your story. Things are probably really hard right now but I promise it will get better. Please take care of yourself. You are worth so much more than what happened to you.
Dear survivor – I am so proud of you for sharing your story!! I don’t think anyone thinks it will happen to them and to many of us are wrong. Being afraid of men is actually very reasonable – even if you rationally understand that they won’t hurt you. Your body and your brain are in ultra-protective mode and feelings aren’t rational. It’d be a lot easier if they were, wouldn’t it? What happened has nothing to do with *you*. It was his choice to do what he did and it’s not your fault. I’m so glad you were able to share you story here; sharing with a therapist or someone who can help you work through these feelings. It might also help to talk to a counselor or a therapist. You’re not alone and I’ll be thinking of you and sending you love!! Alexis