SEXUAL ABUSE : FACTS YOU NEED TO KNOW

   Lyric stared fixedly at the broken mirror, her eyes were reddened and distant and blood slowly dripped from her left hand, drop after drop, it was flashback after flashback, as if the blood was a painful doorway to nostalgia, tears continued to fall, and even though her blurred vision, the body that laid in it's own pool of blood on the bed, and the heart that was currently within her grasp was as clear as day.

It wasn't the dreadful view that made her cry, it wasn't the fact that she had torn out someone's heart, it was the relief that scared her, the relief and happiness she felt, it was the fact that she knew she was now a psychopath, and a murderer, she knew she shouldn't feel this way, it wasn't normal for any human being to feel relief after murdering their uncle, the happiness she felt as she stared at the dead lump of flesh in her grip. One she had curiously cut out.

She placed her hand on her chest, her heartbeat gave her the sign once again, the painful sigh she was still alive, the sign that she was a coward, who instead of stabbing herself to death as she had planned ended up killing her uncle.

Maybe it was the way he roughly undressed her or the fact that she was fed up with being at the mercy of his leather belt, or was it how he always threw her across the room, making sure to remind her she would never amount to anything,

She was fed up.

Fed up of continuously letting him stomp on her pride and crush her dignity, she was fed up with the excruciating pain she felt whenever he stripped her of her honor, making sure to remind her — she was worthless and should be "grateful" he was touching her.

No. 

It had to be the empty look in his eyes, one that neither had mercy or hate, one that lacked remorse or sympathy, it was pure lust, and he kept asking for more and more.

Lyric chuckled sadly, it never used to be like this. When her mother died three years ago, he had showered her with love and affection, he had been there for her, but slowly things started to change. From his over possessiveness to his aggressiveness, from his sudden outbursts to his sudden desire to control her, she should have seen the signs.

The way he would slowly increase their proximity, and how their hugs lasted longer than usual, she should have known, she was prey in a predator's cage, waiting diligently to be his dinner.

Lyric fell to the ground as sobs racked through her small frame, blood continued to soak her clothes, soon she was drenched in her pool of pain and sorrow, oh, what a sight to behold!

Lyric knew she could have asked for help, she knew she should have asked for help.

But how?

How exactly does one explain the fact that they have been raped?

In the society we live in, how does one explain the fact that they have been sexually abused? Without the majority judging them or pointing fingers, and without people concluding?

How does one ask for help? When the one person that should be their protector, is their predator?

In what words does one explain to someone that since one was introduced to rape, suicide no longer sounded scary?

How does one explain the fact that pain has replaced all their innocence with hate?

In how many syllables does one express how empty they feel?

Society will point fingers and show the pity card.

Lyric did not want that

She didn't want to hear the "she's at fault"

She didn't want to hear the " she's lying!"

Or the "oh sorry, it's so sad"

She didn't want the judicial system to put the monster behind bars

That's why when they carried his body way in a body bag

And handcuffed her, she had no regrets, maybe pain, deep pain, for turning herself into a murderer at such a young age.

Truth is, nothing justifies murder, that stigma also stays glued to whoever succumbs to the desire

Because he was dead, and she killed him.

********

Now, listen carefully.

First things first, rape is not only limited to the girl child, neither is only limited to outsiders.

The perpetrators of rape can be ANYONE. A rapist is a psychopath who is fueled by nothing but desire and lust, they lack any sense of right and wrong, but outside their psychotic world, they are bankers, lawyers, teachers, doctors. Even officers! Rape isn't limited to that guy on the street that looks like he's drowned in alcohol and Indian hemp!

And one more thing, there WASN'T, ISN'T and will NEVER be any justification for rape

I don't know about you, but according to me, saying that ‘a girl provokes rape’ is simply uncalled for and disgusting. I recall discussing this same topic on a particular day with a few friends, some had claimed that girls provoke rape with what they wear, and how they dress.

Yes, I will admit, indecent dressing is wrong, but these do not give anyone the right, to trample on someone else's right, no one has the right to be intimate with a girl without her consent, it's wrong, demeaning, uncalled for and completely disgusting.

No means no!

Rape is also a part of Violence against women! Who in their right mind tries to justify that?!

A person's dress, actions, behavior, and even seductive advances, does not give anyone the right to violate them! the moment a girl says no, it means she's uncomfortable and doesn't consent to whatever was about to happen!

66% of victims of sexual assault and rape are aged 12-17

More than 1 out of 10 high school students have already experienced some form of physical aggression from a dating partner

38% of victims of sexual violence experience work or school problems

94% of women who have raped experience symptoms of PTSD during the two weeks following the rape

Females ages 16-19 are 4 times more likely than the general population to be victims of rape, attempted rape, or sexual assault

1:6 American women have been the victim of an attempted or completed rape in their lifetime.

Women ages 16-19 are four times more likely to be victims of rape or sexual assault, and female college students ages 18-24 are three times more likely to experience sexual assault.

In the United States, 70% of rape is committed by someone the victim knows.

Rape is a menace that is slowly eating us up, it's a virus that we refuse to admit has spread amongst us, for how long will we blame and point fingers?

Till the statistics are more than a sore sight to see?

The scariest part is these are just REPORTED cases and ESTIMATED statistics!

Warning signs of pre-rape

Touching another person with no regard for their wishes

Sexualizing appropriately non-sexual relationships

Using conversation that is inappropriately intimate

Telling sexual jokes at inappropriate times or places

Making inappropriate comments about people’s bodies, sexual

Using threats in displays of anger

Using violence is borderline situations

Approving observed violence

Justifying violence

Showing a quick temper

Tending to transform other emotions into anger

Is suspicious about everybody with whom you speak

Wants to be with you constantly

Tries to turn you against your parents

Controlling behaviors

Tries to decide what you do and with whom you spend time

Gives orders and expects you to follow them

Hides controlling behavior behind pretending to be concerned about your safety

Discourages you from spending time with your friends

Puts down everyone you know including your family and friends

Signs of a rape Victim:

An increase in physical complaints

Problems with bedtime or fear of going to sleep

Fear of certain people or places (example: not wanting to be left alone with a babysitter

Regression to infantile behaviors such as thumb-sucking or bed-wetting

Abnormal interest in sex or knowledge of sexual matters inappropriate for the child’s age

Preoccupation with their body or masturbation

Bedwetting — especially if it begins in a dry child

Sexual activities with toys or other children, such as simulating sex with dolls or asking other children/siblings to behave sexually

Using new words for private body parts

Refusing to talk about a ‘secret’ he/she has with an adult or older child

Emotional signs:

Unexplained fear or dislike of certain people or places depression or withdrawal

Lack of confidence

Sudden mood swings: rage, fear, anger, or withdrawal

Ways to support a rape victim

Keep listening. Don’t try to give advice or fix the problem. Just listen.

Remind them that IT IS NOT THEIR FAULT!!

Let them feel their feelings. It can be extremely difficult to see someone you love in pain, but they need space to express themselves. Don’t say things like, “Cheer up” or “Don’t cry.” Stay by their side as they work through their feelings.

Give them a sense of security by always being there for them, and make them feel safe.

Support them, by encouraging them to join, counsellings that can help them

Show enormous love and support

To any Rape victim out there

Whatever happened or is happening is not your fault.

You came this far and it is worth it

You are not weak and you are not worthless

You are priceless and strong.

You WILL get through this.

I know the road may seem a blur, and darkness surrounds

I know you can't wait for the light at the end of the tunnel, heck you might not even believe in it

But darling I can assure you, YOU CAN WIN THIS WAR

You are strong, priceless, awesome, and unbeatable!

You WILL overcome this hurdle!❤