#metoo
You are not alone. Together we can de-stigmatize speaking out about our experiences with sexual harassment, assault, and more.
What the World Is like After You’ve Been Raped
When we are young, most people won’t see the world as it is. I can remember the world when I was young, was full of bustle and life, empty of responsibility and solely about meeting friends and having a good time. I couldn’t see much past primary school or secondary school, I knew that they were ahead of me, but between a group of friends at school, and a room for me at home, I could never have imagined what growing older would be—the people I’d meet and who I’d become.
By Kiara King7 years ago in Viva
The Day I Lost Respect
*Sigh* It has taken my mind and heart so long to finally come to the world and share this story. Before I start I do want to state one very important thing. I still love my stepmom, but I do not agree with how she spoke and handled this situation, even though my dumb self put myself there. However, the word no. STILL. MEANS. NO!
By Crazy Beautiful7 years ago in Viva
Noises
The ordeal started in grade school. Post summertime, new school year and I was already feeling the "first-day" jitters creep up on me. That's typical every school year. Growing up in a ghetto neighborhood had always been a struggle for women like me. If you acted different (non-black), you were basically treated... like a lame and a nobody.
By Lucky Blue7 years ago in Viva
An Open Letter
My first week of college, I was raped. For the longest time, I could not bring myself to say that I was raped. I started off by denying that it had ever happened to me. Yet when I finally did begin to accept that it had happened, I could only call it sexual assault. I denied myself the reality of what had happened in order to protect myself, but it only hurt me more.
By Gabriella Elaine7 years ago in Viva
Where Do Broken Hearts Go?
Little Girl Many people dream of becoming a star one day. Whether that is to become a singer, model, CEO, Astronaut etc., we all have a moment. My moment started when I was just six years old, from the time I could remember I was happy; laughing, smiling, a bright little girl around family and friends. That light dimmed at the touch of my step grandfather. I never told my mom, family, friends, anybody. I sat with that pain for so long, acting out. I was angry, sad. I finally told my mother when I was 13 years old. She took me to the police, counseling... I had to draw out the picture of the things that took place. I remember seeing him standing in the bathroom door saying, “Come get in the shower.” Coming into the room, sitting at my bedside and licking my ear, rubbing my chest. I woke up and didn’t want to get out of bed. He and my grandmother were leaving. As they were walking out, he winked at me and smiled. I was never the same. At the age of 13, I was then again molested by my cousin until the age of 16 or 17. That was very hard for me. I didn’t tell anyone because I didn’t want my immediate family to go to jail, or worse. I finally told my mom at the age of 28, when I wrote it in a magazine article. I want to believe that I will get better, after holding things in for so long... feeling alone and broken. There has to be light at the end... right?
By Drea Williams7 years ago in Viva
Teach Us Not to Rape!
Throughout the years, rape is a topic which is on headlines, mainly because of the increasing rates of rape. It is quite normal that when society is confronted with a social ill, society will construct mechanisms which help us from being victims of rape. However, we often forget to teach ourselves not to rape.
By Dimpho Moepane7 years ago in Viva
Mental Abuse
This is my story on suffering mental abuse in a relationship. I guess I will just start from the beginning. I met a guy in a time of my life where I felt I absolutely needed someone to be happy. I didn’t truly love myself or believe myself to be worthy, and jumped at any guy who came my way. This is when I started dating my first long-term boyfriend.
By anyonymous a7 years ago in Viva
What Happens After Rape?
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. And while the #MeToo movement gets a bad reputation for being “too feminist” (“too feminist” is a load of bullshit, if you ask me), I think that this movement has made it easier for individuals to share their stories… myself included. I’ve *briefly* talked about my rape before in another Vocal post titled, “An Open Letter to My Rapist.” It was more of a poetic “fuck you” than anything else, but it was cathartic nonetheless. However, as I’ve pondered and thought and reread, I realized that there was a big part of the story that was missing. And when I look at other people’s stories, I noticed the same thing. We all talk about the rape or assault, but never what happens afterwards. So I wanted to write on this topic again and do it justice. Tell the full story. After-effects and all. No sugar coating… I’ll start at the beginning.
By Rowan Flores7 years ago in Viva
The Future of MeToo
Johnny Depp, it seems, has been vindicated in several areas of the "Court of Public Opinion." His lawsuit against his ex-wife Amber Heard, where he is suing her for no less than fifty million U.S. dollars, has shed new light on that which has plagued the media for nearly three years. Now, after so much rage from MeToo protesters about Johnny Depp's continued employment as an actor and musician, people are stepping back, and realizing that yes, Amber Heard just might have lied after all. Not only that, but new evidence points to Amber, not Johnny, as the abusive partner in that relationship.
By Kate Quinn7 years ago in Viva
