Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Viva.

Consent
"Consent is an act of reason and deliberation. A person who possesses and exercises sufficient mental capacity to make an intelligent decision demonstrates consent by performing an act recommended by another."
By Catriona Boardman8 years ago in Viva
My Body Issues
I have always been in dispute with my body. I have always been a big girl and it bothered me so much. When I started at secondary school, I discovered all these different body shapes and sizes. Most of the girls were skinny or had lovely curves, then there was me.
By Mummy's Memories8 years ago in Viva
Nola Darling vs. Feminism
In my first go round of college, back in the late 90s, I deemed myself a feminist. I'd been raped and assaulted in very close proximity, and then I got this epiphany and decided to treat guys "like they treated me..."
By Kendria White8 years ago in Viva
Being Told I Have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
When I was growing up I never really paid much attention to when my monthly period would come. I always had painful cramping but after I turned 18 they seemed to get worse. My mum advised that I start writing down the date when I get my period, I started this in 2012 by simply writing it on my iPhone notes. Soon I noticed that my periods were super irregular but I did not think much of it at the time, I just thought that was why some months were more painful than others.
By N.M.E8 years ago in Viva
Conquering Girl-Crazy
Ladies, we’ve all been there. Everything seems fine and then he (or she or whomever), does something, says something, and suddenly we go girl-crazy. We get excited and emotional, and our thoughts are directly connected to our mouths, no filter to save us. We say things we mean, but didn’t necessarily mean to say out loud. We behave irrationally. And much later we might find ourselves giving apologies and asking for forgiveness, blaming our behavior on lack of sleep or caffeine, or hormones. What if you could break the cycle? I have 5 steps that might help.
By Layla Knight8 years ago in Viva
There's a Place for Your Kind of Love... Prison
Four years of age and not knowing quite what life is all about, playing with toys, and being happy as can be, so far. Well, at quite a young age, I was being looked after by one of my parents good friends while they were at work and my old brother at school. Nice family, lovely woman and man with a few much older kids than I, with one being in a wheelchair due to having meningitis. I became quite good friends with one of their daughters, but being a wee girl, I was quite taken back by their son, as many young females are at the age of four. Their son was quite a few years older than I, possibly 10 years older. Everyday Monday to Friday, only for just a few hours, while my parents go to work, I'd go to this other family's house. At a very young age of 5-years-old, I started to realise something REALLY wasn't right with their son...
By Marianne McGarry8 years ago in Viva
Til it Happens to You
I didn't say yes. But I didn't say no. After, we were at church. I stood while we sang. And I cried. I wasn't crying because I was moved by the spirit. I was crying because I was 14 and had just performed the first sexual act of my life.
By V. Renae8 years ago in Viva
Just Ignore It
It was determined from the beginning. I was weak, small, less. I need to be pretty, I need to smile, I need to not instigate the male gaze.
By Sandra Quin8 years ago in Viva
Layering with the Wisdom of Paris
Ah, winter. The only time of the year you can layer to your heart's desire without sweating through your once-perfect silk top. Or, at least that's how it is if you live in beautifully-hot Southern California like I do.
By Raven Yule8 years ago in Viva
The Aftermath of Abuse
In my last post, I shared my own experience that I’ve had with domestic violence in an abusive relationship. I knew it was an issue, but wow, I never realized how truly relevant it was until I got so many responses to my last post from people who are either in the same situation, or had been at some point. It’s heartbreaking to hear that it’s happening all around me, however, it makes me that much more content with my own story going public. I feel so relieved that my story impacted readers, and brought attention as well as started conversations that need to be had. A lot of people reached out to me with questions, such as “how do you handle dating now?” “are you still scared of him?” and simply “how do you cope?”. All solid questions in which I will now address in my second post called: The Aftermath of Abuse. Then I shall move on from this particular subject because who wants to dwell on damage?
By . /8 years ago in Viva
Lucasfilm's Kathleen Kennedy Proposes A Commission To Protect Against 'Sexual Terrorism' In Hollywood
More than 40 women have come forward to tell their stories of harassment and sexual assault at the hands of former film executive Harvey Weinstein. The accusations span more than three decades, and undoubtedly, more survivors will gather the courage to break their silence.
By Rachel Carrington8 years ago in Viva
I Slapped The Pastor
Everyone was pleased with the new pastor, whom I’ll refer to as Tim (not his real name) at first. The new pastor was younger, preached in a style that made the congregation pay attention, encouraged people to refer to him by his first name. Tim was full of ideas that people hoped would help revive a decades-old neighborhood church that needed to grow. We all were drawn to him and we wanted to help.
By Hillari Hunter8 years ago in Viva