#metoo
You are not alone. Together we can de-stigmatize speaking out about our experiences with sexual harassment, assault, and more.
Understanding Silence Is Not Consent
I am posting this on behalf of a friend who asked me to share her story. --- Exposed. Vulnerable. Confused. Every time I thought about it. Every time I tried to write down or verbalise what happened, a voice in my head told me to be quiet, to laugh it off, or stop typing.
By Sophie Rose8 years ago in Viva
The Price I Paid for Using My Voice
I had a friend tell me once that I’d definitely be the first to die in a horror film. Friends, classmates, co-workers, and even boyfriends often saw me as “naïve” or referred to me as the bubbly clueless girl. I know that I’ve been perceived this way for most of my life.
By Casara Clark8 years ago in Viva
Not a Word
I would give you a warning for this article, but there are no warnings in life. Right now, I could literally vomit. My insides are churning-spinning-and I just want to rip them out. I feel disgusted. With myself, my loved ones, the people that walk around me, and social media. I have felt this way for a long time, but have never chosen to say anything except to a few people...until now.
By Echo Jones8 years ago in Viva
Stoned
To have put up a wall of silence for so many years caused her to be immune to all that had been done to her. Before she realized it, she was a prisoner trapped and encased in stone, unable to cry out in her pain. She couldn’t move; there was no need to, who would notice? All that was once good had long been buried within the cold and now familiar shell she had become.
By Donna Butler8 years ago in Viva
Secret
I am 23 and counting. There is nothing unusual about me, I live in an apartment, I go to college online, I have a boyfriend, I work full-time. I have a caring family and kind friends. However normal my life may appear, we all know that looks can be deceiving. As much as I trust in my family and friends, there is a secret I keep from them. I am a victim of rape.
By Tati Elizabeth8 years ago in Viva
From Savior to Destroyer
I am a military brat. I have never been in one place long enough to forge relationships with people. I was born on one coast and moved to another in my early childhood and that is when my life began to spiral downwards. My mother is a raging alcoholic. Whenever my father was away, she would beat my older sister for any reason she could find. My sister protected me from the physical harm but there is only so much shielding possible from the psychological and emotional wounds that have long since turned into scars. One night after my sister was nearly choked to death she ran away only to be found hours later by California police, despite the bruising already forming on her neck in the shape of hands, the countless scratch marks on her arms and face, her clothes being torn from the struggle, the police reprimanded her for running away. They never said a word to my mother who was still drunk even at that point. Fast forward two years and my sixteen-year-old sister admits to having a drug issue in order to be sent back to our home on the east coast when in reality her drug problem didn't begin until she was home.
By Celest Nyte8 years ago in Viva
He Didn't Ask and He Knew Better
Just because you're in a relationship, does not mean that you should not ask for consent. It does not mean that you have ownership over your mate's body. And it doesn't mean that rape or being taken advantage of sexually, while in a relationship, comes up void. I know...because it happened to me.
By Quinci Spady8 years ago in Viva
“The Nature of the Photos”
"We can't do anything based on the nature of the photos taken," the woman said on the phone, her voice strained. Almost like she didn't want to say it. "I'm sorry."My insides fell to the floor. I had stepped out of a managerial meeting to take this call, this call that would let me know if my rapist would get what he deserved. Instead of reassurance, instead of knowing things were going to be okay, I find out what happened wasn't credible. I had left work shortly after getting that call.
By S.M. Vargas8 years ago in Viva
