Let This Be A Lesson To Anyone Who Has Been Abused

[LandOfHopeAndDreams]

If you speak up, you will be ignored as well.

Turns out Dr. Ford was 100% correct. I'm guessing if she had it to do over, she would choose to remain silent.

[redstatebluegirl]

1. This why many of us have been silent.

I would not go through what I saw friends go through, not worth it to me. Has it haunted me, yes, but I would do the same again, the system is rigged against women.

[a la izquierda]

5. Me too.

I would never say a word. I haven’t for decades. I was 16 and terrified.

[redstatebluegirl]

6. I was 20.

[maryellen99]

2. Rape/sexual assault has now been normalized :(

[Initech]

7. Not only that, Lindsay Graham plans to turn it into a weapon.

Fuck these psychopathic fuckers.

[maryellen99]

8. He's the next Kevin Spacey and I don't mean acting nt

[Initech]

9. I wouldn't be surprised if he has actual skeletons in his closet!

[backtoblue]

3. I came forward and testified. I do not regret it.

I was the one on trial for almost two years because my boss assaulted me at my desk. He ended up serving half of a six month sentence. I fought and I persisted and goddammmit I do not regret it.

I took the stand and he did not. It was the hardest thing I've ever done, but I did not give up.

DO NOT GIVE UP. I was the one who lost my career. But I hope he thinks twice before ever hurting someone else.

[ZZenith]

4. I completely and emphatically disagree with your conclusion.

Silence was not an option for Dr. Ford and she bravely stepped forward, regardless of the consequence.

[NurseJackie]

10. Not raped or sexually assaulted... but physically abused and mentally abused by my first husband.

It was YEARS before I could talk about the specifics. And even today, I avoid it, I suppress it. Even after the end of our short marriage (with no kids) the memory of him tormented me, haunted me, and it was baggage that I carried with me for years. Nightmares of him beating me would wake me up weekly for YEARS! Now that he's dead (bastard drank himself to death) I have some closure and subconscious belief/understanding that he can't hurt me again... and the dreams stopped.

Not everyone understands or appreciates how hard it is to recover from assault or abuse.

[Solly Mack]

11. Yeah. I already know how bad it is.

Ignored or if not ignored - attacked.

[LandOfHopeAndDreams]

12. I Wasn't Expecting That

Powerful replies. Thank you too all who contributed. I feel for those who have experienced trauma in the past.