IT’S HARD TO TALK ABOUT IT…BUT WE MUST!

You may have heard about the former Stanford swimmer, who sexually assaulted an unconscious woman, and was sentenced to six months in jail because a longer sentence would have “a severe impact on him,” according to a judge.  At his sentencing, his victim read him a letter describing the “severe impact” the assault had on her. 

I warn you, this is a difficult letter to read and even more difficult to think about it actually happening. Click here to read the victim’s letter to her attacker.  One man’s response to the woman’s letter has blown up on social media, and I believe it’s a step in the right direction.  Click here to read this man’s letter to the victim.
This is just ONE example of a life that has been turned upside down and ripped apart, while according to RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) the statistics show that every 2 minutes an American is sexually assaulted.  Every 107 seconds, another person experiences sexual assault.  Sexual violence affects hundreds of thousands of Americans each year. Only 6 out of every 1,000 rapists will end up in prison.  Read more about the statistics here. 

I thank God that I have never been violated or personally affected by rape.  I do not speak from experience on how to go about dealing with this unimaginable nightmare, however I thought if maybe I talked about it and did some research on how to go about getting help…it might give someone the courage to speak up.  Never hurts to try.

How do we change the statistics?  How do we make it so that no woman, man, or child, will ever have to feel the pain and sheer terror of a sexual attack?  The number one reason for rape is rapists.  Until we can change the statistics, know that if you have been a victim of sexual assault…there is help for you and you are not alone.  Do not be ashamed.  They DID mean to hurt you.  It’s not ok what they did to you. And most importantly; it wasn’t, isn’t, and will never be your fault.  Click here for info on how to get help!

~Brittany Styles