I Believe You

 

 

My first sexual assault happened when I was

5 or 6 or 7.

I can’t remember my age.

I guess that means I’m lying.

 

I was confused and scared and I didn’t even have the words to describe what had just

happened so I didn’t tell.

I guess that means I’m lying.

 

I remember his gifts, his hands, and his lap but I can’t remember his name.

I guess that means I’m lying.

 

My second sexual assault happened when I was 14 or maybe 15.

I can’t remember.

I guess that means I’m lying.

 

He was the father of a friends friend who took us to the lake.

I can’t remember the friend’s friend or the father’s names.

I guess that means I’m lying.

 

I was terrified.

I think I was in shock.

I just wanted to forget that it had happened.

I didn’t tell.

I guess that means I’m lying.

 

I was just married.

He raped me twice.

I didn’t know that could happen in marriage.

Nobody would believe me anyway.

I guess that means I’m lying.

 

“I believe you” is the most powerful thing you can say to a survivor of abuse!

If you have been the victim of sexual abuse you are not alone. Many of us are survivors and by joining our voices together we can and will change the conversation in our world today.