#metoo
You are not alone. Together we can de-stigmatize speaking out about our experiences with sexual harassment, assault, and more.
New Beginnings
Most things happen for a reason, but we don't always see that when the issue negatively affects us. Sometimes it can take a long time to see this. For me, it was four months to see that such a traumatic event opened a lot of doors for me to a beginning of a new life. My new life.
By Roisin Reilly7 years ago in Viva
Sexual Harassment
Throughout the history of the United States, government officials have spoken about filthy things forgetting about the idea of political correctness entirely. Current president, Donald Trump, when referring to women has felt entitled to “grab ‘em by the pussy.” Some politicians have been corrected, yet to this day, some still continue to speak openly about their disgusting sexual desires that should clearly be kept to themselves. Women have dealt with suffrage far too long now to be constantly reminded that they aren’t respected for their individualism and viewed simply for their biological structures. Statements underestimating the impact of sexual assault/harassment are tolerated too much in our society and in our government.
By Madison Rheam, B.A.7 years ago in Viva
Does Evil Have a Name?
I hope you remember me because I will never forget you. The events that play over and over in my head, as if I'm forced to watch a never-ending horror movie. You took so many things from me. My security, my best friend, and how easily you took my strength. Being alone with men began to scare me in ways I never thought it would. From a man coming over to set up my internet to being alone in the bakery aisle at the supermarket, I fear that they might do what you did to me.
By Sleepless inStLouis7 years ago in Viva
Breathing
I’ve always been big on control. Whether I have it or the illusion of it, I like to think that I have some sort of power over things happening around me. I've realized you really only have control over a couple things. You have control over the way you conduct yourself, and the way you choose to react to any given situation. That is what is so terrifying about being sexually assaulted. I remember waking up and feeling like a stranger in my own skin, a place I had never loved, and now wanted out of. I remember waking up and playing back the night before. I remember the weight, feeling like I couldn't breathe. Breathing is something so innate, we take it for granted, but in this past year I've become familiar with the twinge of fear as it escapes me and the relief as I take in a deep breath.
By Emily Schroeder7 years ago in Viva
How It Feels to Remember
I swore to myself that I would never tell anyone, but it just slipped out the other day. I had been drinking and I was in a great mood and your name came up and it just slipped out. I was in the hallway with Jackie and I remember how horrified her face looked and I realized what I had said. But I was saved, some drunk boys came out and we chatted with them, I went home, and I never had to confront the horrified look on Jackie's face.
By purple and blue7 years ago in Viva
Owning My Truth
For a while I've let the sexual abuse I've experienced control me. It was like this forbidden thing to talk about. It felt so taboo to own my truth, say it out loud, and finally be okay with it. I could not give myself the permission to be okay with life. How could I give myself permission to live a happy life when I experienced trauma, and had to say good-bye to the little girl inside of me too soon?
By Doe's Crafte`7 years ago in Viva
Justice?
You never really understand until it happens to you, the trauma that leads to sleepless nights the bruises that never quite seem to fade. The abuse you receive being called a liar having to face the friends and the family. You hear the similar stories on the news or the incident that happened at the nightclub down the road and you watched tv programmes try and portray the storyline to increase awareness and help those in need. You watch it all, and listen to the stories all with the constant thought "this could never happen to me" you say it until it does. Then you forget about the stories that you heard trying to empathise with the victim because now you are the victim and like so many others it’s your story, it’s your voice that needs to be heard and the repetition of trying to get people to understand why you feel the way that you do. You are now the one in the position who is trying to convince people that you are not the liar, that what you are saying is the truth. You no longer have to pretend to understand because now you do and the sad part about it all is that you shouldn’t have to understand because it never should have happened to you.
By Louise Ralph7 years ago in Viva
The Christmas Party and Sexual Harassment
But despite all the fun and games, Christmas parties can occasionally have a much darker side. In recent years the #MeToo movement against sexual harassment and sexual assault has been sweeping the globe. It’s main aim is to show prevalence and to show other individuals going through the same thing that they are not alone. It has not only risen awareness in general but has also highlighted the some of those ‘innocent’ work party events are actually sexual harassment and assault in the workplace.
By Nathalie Martin7 years ago in Viva
The Fear Behind Cat Calling
There was an instance some years ago where I was leaving my mother's house late at night. Before heading home, I decided to head towards a fast food place and grab a quick bite. It was a Sunday night and, being a relatively small town, the streets were empty. As I crawled to a stop at a red light, I noticed a white car that was in the second lane to my left. Two men looked to be in their early 30s and, once I stopped right next to them, were staring dead in my direction.
By Ashlyn Harper7 years ago in Viva
