Thread by @CMArchibald

TW: rape

My job is to tell other people's stories, often of the most difficult (and defining) times of their lives. This is the hardest story I've ever told: of the time I was raped, but they threatened to charge ME with a crime.

#MeToo

al.com/opinion/2022/0…

I was 22. Still a kid. Terrified and traumatized, I went to the police while contending with ongoing threats from the man who raped me. I needed help. I hoped for justice. I wanted to stop him from hurting anyone else. Instead, I was made the villain.

I don't have the words to express how grateful I am to @JohnArchibald (no relation as far as I know) for believing me and helping me speak my truth. I could not have done it without him. I hope you will read his reflections as well as mine, and share both.
al.com/opinion/2022/0…

Thank you also to the editors of @aldotcom, for giving me the space to share this story. It's important that the people of Alabama know what happened to me (and to who knows how many others). There is no other platform I think more suited to deliver this message to that audience.

There are a few things I hope you take away.

First, that sexual violence is far more common in our society than anyone wants to admit. More people are victims than you may realize. But more to the point, some people in your life are the perpetrators.

Statistically speaking, you know a rapist.

If it's true that 1/6 American women (and 1/33 men) will be victimized by a rape or attempted rape in their lifetime, then a staggering number of assailants (mostly men) are committing those offenses. You likely know some of them.

When you talk to someone who has been raped, whether it's 2 days or 20 years later, I hope you will choose your words carefully. Understand that the wrong words can have lasting consequences. A flippant "I don't believe you" can end a life. It nearly ended mine.

Finally, to the other survivors out there, please know you are not alone. You aren't crazy. You didn't imagine it. You were assaulted. It is not your fault and you didn't deserve this. Others may not see your pain, but I do. And I know what it means to live with it every day.

April is #SexualAssaultAwarenessMonth. If you are a survivor who needs support, or you want to learn how to better support someone you care about, please look at the resources available through @RAINN linked here. Thank you for reading. /thread
rainn.org/national-resou…