What Is Your Spectrum

Over 300,00 Americans (over the age of 12) were s*xually assaulted or r***d last year. LAST YEAR! RAINN doesn't just offer victims and survivors of abuse help, they also work hard to improve the way perpetrators are prosecuted.
Please help me celebrate my birthday by donating to RAINN

https://www.facebook.com/donate/379173649186622/379173652519955/

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Today is the 12th day of Domestic Awareness month. One thing that continually makes me shake my head in disbelief is when I hear someone say "you don't look/act like you've been abused."

Most of my life has been filled with one form of abuse or another. Childhood s*xual, physical, and emotional abuse to adulthood domestic abuse. I've had black eyes, split and swollen lips, bruised ribs, and numerous other bruises and injuries.

"yeah but you are so strong now...why can't you just let it go and move on?"

I've almost jumped out of moving cars because someone moved their arm too quickly and my instinct was to keep from getting hit. I've run away from arguments because I was afraid of what would happen. All because I've spent almost three decades of my life being s*xually abused, hit, kicked, spit on, told I was stupid, ugly, and not worthy of love or even kindness. I've been called a w***e, a slut, and trash. Now you have the audacity to tell me to "just get over it?"

"ok, but you've been through therapy. why aren't you fixed yet?" You mean you think I should be treated like a car or a piece of plumbing?

"well no, but..."

I have moved forward. I have a good job, I have a BA in psychology, I'm getting ready to graduate with my PRMA. I have two beautiful, strong, intelligent children who are becoming amazing young adults. I am slowly finding my voice, my purpose, and my passion. I'm accepting my past and choosing to make my present and future a much better place to be.

However, my past will always be there. It will creep up in secret and try to steal my present. It is an ever present darkness lurking in the corners of my world. It takes all the strength I have to keep it there instead of allowing it to overtake me EVERY DAY I make a conscious effort to shine brightly so I make overtake the darkness.

If you are struggling as well, if you need to get out, there is help. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233 or TTY 1−800−787−3224. And as always, you can PM me.