A Letter to Survivors of Rape
The shame isn't yours
The shame is not yours. Shame does not come from within it comes from outside of ourselves. Rape survivors are made to feel ashamed for the crimes committed against them. Society finds excuses, tries to defend offenders and silence the hurting.
It's easier to pretend nothing happened or that there were obvious reasons for these crimes. It is egotism to the highest degree that our society can deny that rape happens in their midst in this day and age; as if the year 2020 miraculously cured offenders of their need to take advantage of the vulnerable.
That is exactly what rape is, it is opportunistic at best, it is the selection and exploitation of the easiest target. It doesn't matter if you were drunk, drugged, unconscious or in a relationship with your rapist. It doesn't matter if you wore "revealing" clothing, were attractive or plain, didn't say no or didn't fight back. It doesn't matter that your body responded to the rape as if it was willing; it is meant to behave in this way regardless of the circumstances.
It doesn't matter if you are a man or woman, child or adult. It doesn't matter if it is day or night, a good area or a bad area. Anyone can be raped anywhere at any time. You just happened to be the target, in the wrong place at the wrong time, with the wrong person watching you.
This is a reminder that you deserve a voice. You deserve justice. You deserve human decency. You deserve love. You deserve peace. Most of all you deserve to know you are not alone, and you are not to blame. You will have a life after this. You will find love and safety and be happy one day. It gets better.
The shame you feel belongs to society. Shame on them for being unable to see past their ego's and see the pain that is caused everyday all over the world to people of all descriptions. The guilt you feel belongs to your assailant. The choices they made will haunt them for the rest of their lives, that burden does not belong to you.
No matter your age, gender, appearance, sexual orientation, background or situation you never deserved this. The more we push for people to be taught that the sin is in committing rape, not being raped, the more intolerance for rape we will see and the more support we will build.
The shame is not ours. It's theirs.
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