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Campaign reaction
Scared of the ordeal
I was raped when I was 17 but never told anyone because I was scared of the police ordeal and didn't want to upset my parents. I was alone in my parents house and a man tricked me into letting him in. He made me do awful things before he raped me and he even stole the clothes I was wearing. Am I alone or are other people scared to report things like this?
Author: Nikki, Female, Scotland
Date: 09/08/2010
Replies to this post
I've had a few friends who have been raped. Some reported it, some did not. Sometimes it was within a relationship and they knew that they would be beaten if they said anything. You're not alone, especially when the attitude persists that a woman is asking for it based on what someone did or was wearing.
I've heard of women reporting a rape and then going to the hospital and being told that they had sex, so the doctors wouldn't even provide them with the morning after pill, acting like rape was consent to pregnancy. Some judge said that women who were wearing jeans couldn't be raped. There are a lot of inconsiderate, stupid people out there who are going to blame the victim.
I hope that this campaign can spur education and a no-tolerance policy for people seeking to force people who are raped to go through humiliation to report it. I hope it can reform the system so that people who report it are treated with dignity during the reporting process.
I hope beyond hope that it reaches over to the US so that people like my friend raped on a college campus can feel like they won't be treated like they brought it on themselves when they report to the university police.
Nikki, you may not have reported it, but you are brave to be talking about what happened to you and I really admire that you can tell your story here.
Author: Anna, Female, Michigan, USA
Date: 12/08/2010
Hi i jst wntd 2 say ur v. brave no matr wat u decide 2 do i was also seventeen when i was subjectd 2 a very violnt n degradng rape i am now 12 yrs on & im only nw tryn to cme 2 terms wth it after i bloked al out i have been in touch with rape crisis scotland & im now undergoin counciling & suport maybe you shud talk 2 som1. My case was v. similar to yours n tht i hav been to scard 2 report n stil also dnt wnt upset thos clos 2 me it has 2 b ur choice but pleas get som suport you shudnt go through ths alone
Author: Anon, Female, Scotland
Date: 30/08/2010
Have your say
Natasha, Female from Glasgow“Rape seems to be the only crime where it's seen as ok to put the victim on trial.”
Joss, Female from Connecticut“Short skirts don't cause rape. Rapists cause rape”
Helzo, Female from Renfrewshire“About time something like this was shown on TV. Hopefully it will make everyone realise there cannot be any excuse for rape - EVER.”