?- is there a woman here at DU who has not experienced sexual violence?

[kandkfunk]

129. So many

I was assaulted when I was 13 by someone I thought was my friend. The sad thing is, he probably didn't think he did anything wrong. I wouldn't know though because I never spoke to him again. My daughter is now 14 and I worry and wonder how I can protect her.

I am sure there are plenty of women who have never experienced sexual violence, but most of us know someone who has. And, for every woman you know about, there are probably several other women in your lives that have remained silent. I tried telling some of my friends and they either didn't believe me or thought it was my fault. Even at 13. The only person who believed me was the man who eventually became my husband. To this day, none of my other family members are aware. At this point, it would probably cause too much pain to bring it up. My only hope is that I can have an open and honest relationship with my daughter and son so they will never be afraid to talk to me.