#metoo
You are not alone. Together we can de-stigmatize speaking out about our experiences with sexual harassment, assault, and more.
Update on My Rape Case
For a while I believed that my soul was permanently shattered. I believed that what this man took from me could never be retrieved again. My pain was so excruciating physically and mentally that every day was full of new struggles. I was lost in a sea of my thoughts day after day. Running from him was something I became an expert at. However, it didn’t diminish the humiliation and pain I’d grown to live with. He lacerated the core of me and it ruined a lot of things as a result. It was of subtle comfort when the courts granted me with one year of a sexual violence protection order. The max was three years and honestly what I had aimed for. He fought it. Because of course he can’t just admit to the horrible things he’s done to me. I decided to fight after that day. No matter how afraid I was of him, he couldn’t just get away with one year of a protection order. That had to be the lightest slap on the wrist. Sexual assault is everywhere around us. The perpetrators scare their victims into keeping quiet and it’s the most disgusting thing. When I decided to fight I didn’t know it would be so hard. I had anticipated that it would undoubtedly take time but I never imagined it would take this much time. I just want the whole thing to be over.
By The Darkest Sunrise8 years ago in Viva
One Hell of a Year
My last year of high school was hell. I'd sugarcoat it, but that's exactly what it was. It is a story I tell in real life all the time in that joking way that makes people think you are fine. However, I think maybe writing it out, telling my truth as I saw it, may help me move on from that horrible year. You see, dear reader, that year is at the top of the list of things I have never truly gotten over. So many things I have yet to forgive myself for happened that year, and so many things I have yet to forgive others for.
By Jody-Lynne Belbin8 years ago in Viva
Abduction Survivor
When I was a moody teenager, about 14 years old, I listened to Green Day and Nirvana on my Walkman every day on the way home from school. Being a freshman is such a confusing, yet exciting time. Fresh new hormones pumping through your body as you go through adolescence, and a fresh new crush every week. I was just beginning to cozy into a fun group of friends, and found my classes to be such a welcome change from middle school, I was actually interested in what was being taught!
By Amber Bastedo8 years ago in Viva
Conversations I Wish I Had (#1)
Before starting this letter, I want to put a disclaimer here. This is... not an easy read for some people. Some of you may have experienced sexual trauma yourself and this story may bring back unwanted feelings and memories. If you start to have trouble, I encourage you to put the story away and reach out to a safe person to talk to. Myself included. I have my Instagram profiles up in my bio on Vocal. So you can always reach out to me if you feel like you can’t speak to anyone else.
By Rowan Flores8 years ago in Viva
Asifa: 5 Months on
Ah, the hashtag. It has many uses: be it for expressing your views on the latest series of a TV show such as #loveisland (still have no clue what it's about), to complaining about your broken phone charger before realising it is a #firstworldproblem; and of course, there are its more serious uses. #NotOurPresident. #Metoo. And in India, 3 months after 8-year-old Asifa Bano was found dead after an 8 day gang-rape, she too got a hashtag: #JusticeforAsifa.
By Vaishnavi Ramu8 years ago in Viva
My Experience With Sexual Harassment: A Message to the Fearful
He asked me at least once every shift if I wanted to go out with him. No. I did not. First of all, I was dating at the time, second of all, I was just plain not interested in this flirtatious boy I worked with three times a week but knew next to nothing about. But, and here's a phrase I'm sure you wish you could just stop hearing, he wouldn't take no for an answer.
By Lucy Sammons8 years ago in Viva
You Took My Innocence and With it My Control!
“Shh. Stop crying or someone will hear you!” She covered my mouth with her hand while her other hand remained on my breast. “If someone comes in here, I will beat you up!” I remained still and let my cousin’s hand roam over my 5-year-old breast and my private parts, the threat of her beating me up remaining in my head. I was terrified to scream, but I knew what she was doing to me was wrong and I had no control. She was ten years old and knew better.
By Nanette Tenpo8 years ago in Viva
Zero Tolerance
I was a late bloomer. This meant that while other girls were getting their periods, going on dates and talking with their friends about babies and sex, I was playing Legos with my younger cousins. I didn’t even get my period until I was 16-years-old, and though I had sex-ed many years before, in sixth grade, my memory of the things we talked about were hazy at best. I understood that babies came from sex, but I didn’t know the first thing about arousal, or masturbation, or sexual harassment.
By Eugena Lewis8 years ago in Viva
Me Too
Honestly, I’m not sure how this is going to go. Yet, I know I need to get this out and keep moving forward. It was July 2016. My boyfriend of two weeks was coming over again and couldn't wait. I was 20 years old and I finally had my first boyfriend. I thought I was with someone who really cared for me. I still lived with my parents and that just made things awkward. He finally showed up and we decided to hop in the pool. It was a gorgeous day and there was no way I wasn't going to get my pool time in. My mom was coming and going from the backyard while doing yard work. She didn't like the guy at all and she made it very well known. I'm going to give this guy a different name just to play it safe. Roy was kissing me, totally awesome and I didn't see a problem. Eventually, my mom was out of the backyard for awhile and we were all alone. He kept forcing me to touch him even though I kept pulling away, afraid I was going to get caught. He then pinned me against the pool wall with me facing west, towards him. He began touching me and kissing my neck. On the inside, I was yelling and trying to break free. But on the outside, I was frozen as if I was a photograph. I only remember seeing the evergreen tree in front of me. He began grinding on me, causing large waves in the index quick set up pool. I remember trying to stop him from pushing aside my bikini bottom. He came closer to me and grabbed ahold of himself through this bottoms and teased until I felt him getting closer and closer to the opening. He began taking himself out when he heard my mom returning and quickly backed away from me.
By Stephanie Adolphi8 years ago in Viva
