The discussion of rape and healing and forgiveness this past week has been tough for survivors in a number of ways. I can never forgive my rapist, and I don’t apologize for that. Other survivors can. Trauma is beyond complicated. Everyone should have space to feel what they feel.
I hate talking about this. I take into account the many, many years of therapy and panic attacks and incongruous bits of pain and confusion they don’t show in the movies, and I realize that peace will never truly be had. All I can do is get better at coping. That’s it.
It’s a paradox: talking about this creates understanding (you hope) and talking about it also reopens old wounds that never really quite healed.
Just be kind to people. Give them the space to grieve over what they’ve lost in every facet of life. It’s so simple.
Just be kind to people. Give them the space to grieve over what they’ve lost in every facet of life. It’s so simple.
