Rape more Common than Smoking in the US

[Tsiyu]

328. Thank you for your honesty

I honestly didn't hold out much hope for this thread.

Figured it would sink like a stone. but it was my attempt at a "class" for those people who didn't seem to understand the extent to which rape has become a public epidemic. For all those guys outraged that we should suggest such a terrifying thing as a class HORRORS - they sure showed up here, though I doubt they read the OP

You and I both know that years ago, a thread like this would probably have been locked. The derailers then, as the derailers now, used every trick in the book to get posts about women's issues locked and they nearly always succeeded. There were many times I had to just leave DU.

Every time I come back, it's a little better.

This has been exhausting, truthfully. And I've only been at it for two days this run. My accolades to many of you who have been fighting these battles all along. The bullies have not worn any of us to silence. I really don't know how you all have kept going here, but I applaud you.

Please, I am sorry for those whom this thread may have hurt or triggered bad memories. I am so, so sorry. I guess I really agree with you, I don;t think a thread can "heal" per se, but part of my healing has come from hearing other people's stories, from not feeling like a freak, from not feeling alone. As a rape survivor myself, and a survivor of horrible abuse, I do understand. I could tell so many horrific tales about what I've been through if I was able to speak about a lot of it. I deal with a lot of things by just not remembering unless a nightmare or a trigger forces the issue. I lie myself to sleep. And these threads have not triggered anything from my rape - by a babysitter when I was a small kid - but they have triggered more than a bit from other horrific experiences. Yesterday I shook and ate nothing and went to bed with my heart racing like crazy. Like many you describe, it was the faux outrage, the "I don't care," the "I already know all there is to know about rape." NO dude, you DON'T fucking know! You notice I have tried to skirt the subthreads here on child rape. I cannot go there....I say I'm over it, but one never really is, is one?

It's physically exhausting to have these conversations, and emotionally painful to read the worst responses and I am sorry for those who have had a rough time coping with this. But, like you, I am encouraged by the slow, slow change I see taking place. The tipping point has been reached for many of us. There will be no turning back.

I thought that this would end up a train wreck, derailed by fools, and I knew I would be attacked. Didn't hold out much hope for any of these threads, but I think we are making slow and steady progress. PLease send my condolences to those suffering. I am in tears right at this moment thinking I may have hurt someone in any way who is coping with this, but I guess I know we all have a little bit to be grateful for and we'll hold on to that until we can find a way to progress past the STOP sign the derailers always place in our paths.

The truth is, we're not any safer. We still have to face a society where we must be afraid.

And we must keep trying to make it safer for all those here now, and all those who will be here long after we are gone.

Again, I am sorry if I hurt you or anyone in any way. I have been at this for 10 hours now, on dialup, and I think i am going to get away now, but thank you again so much for the honesty and your contributions to this thread.