#metoo
You are not alone. Together we can de-stigmatize speaking out about our experiences with sexual harassment, assault, and more.
I Was Gang Raped at 13...
This is probably a story that many of us, too many of us, can tell. It's a story that's been forgotten, pushed under the rug, and only recently with the #metoo movement, even been acceptable to relate to family and friends, let alone strangers who may judge, denigrate, and victim blame me. I won't go into details in this piece, but at 13 I ran away and in the process, I was gang raped by five men and an 11-year-old little boy. Through the grace of God and my determined mother, I was saved from the child trafficking ring these men had established in Las Vegas. Basically, their operation had members who sought out "lost" middle school girls and convinced them to run away to their "house" where they were raped "to break them in" and then shuttled to California. I was the second girl from my middle school who was targeted by this operation. The first girl was taken to California and never seen or heard from again.
By Tia Turner9 years ago in Viva
To the S.A. Survivor
You're going about living your life after a trauma, wondering if you will ever get past what happened to you, wondering if you will ever feel like yourself again. If you'll ever be able to sleep without seeing the face of the person who destroyed you, if you'll ever be able to go out alone in public without being on high alert. Let me just tell you this, survivor to survivor:
By Mother Mayhem9 years ago in Viva
Me Too
I'm encouraged and deeply saddened by the trending, "me too" on social media. I'm encouraged because victims spoke out in an unusual setting but the point is, they spoke out. I cannot stress enough the importance of breaking the silence but it doesn't end with breaking the silence. I'm going to share a little part of my story that I hope helps you see why breaking the silence is so important but going beyond that as well is vital to ending the problem.
By Taylor Carnes9 years ago in Viva
When I Was Pinched in the Mission
Back in school, I had gone to get my dinner, and I was walking down the street at night sticking close to a group of people. Out of nowhere, some idiot pinched me in between the legs. I mean pinched. Right there. Pulled on me, and pinched. This is sexual harassment at its finest. I yelled at him, swinging my grocery bag at his chest three times. I then cornered somebody, a male somebody, yelling at the person to look out for somebody smaller than he was because some idiot had pinched me. I was surrounded but I escaped that situation rather quickly, and I was yelling at them really loud. I had beef, green beans, and cheese in my bag as my only weapon.
By Iria Vasquez-Paez9 years ago in Viva
He's Mean To You?
I've heard it so many times in my life, and I'm sure that you've heard it too. Maybe not in these words, but you've definitely heard it. If he's mean to you, then he likes you... If he treats you like shit, then he MUST be into you. But where the fuck did this come from? When did we develop this notion that if a boy is mean to you, then he likes you. In my opinion, it starts really early on, when we're so small that we are indoctrinated into this bullshit way of thinking.
By Shana Nizeul9 years ago in Viva
We’re No Angels
Last I checked I have a penis. My name is Joel Eisenberg. I am a writer and television producer based in Los Angeles. I have no record of sexual harassment and, everything being fair, that status will remain unchanged. I was raised well by my parents, I’m happily married, and I respect women.
By Joel Eisenberg9 years ago in Viva
Being Silenced
It was my nineteenth birthday party, I was in college, and having the time of my life. I had a ton of friends there. We were dancing, singing, and drinking the night away. He was also there, the guy I’ve been talking to for about a week. I saw him staring at me the whole time. He had told me before that wasn’t really a dancer so I didn’t mind the staring. I mean, maybe I was trying to give him a show anyways. Dule* was tall, dark, and nothing I’ve ever had before. He was older, smarter, and I loved learning things from him; sometimes he even learned things from me. It was only a week of talking but it was long enough for us to get to know each other and have a bond. As much as we bonded, that didn't stop him that night. Neither did me being so drunk that I barely remember what happened that night.
By Grace Xtra9 years ago in Viva
Sexual Abuse
Statistics... Are they correct or are they just a guess based on some guy that has a degree in accounting and predictions? Who knows, right? Well in this case, from the photo above, it's facts, proven on things that have happened and that are continuing to happen. Sexual abuse is something that gets pushed under the rug often. We need to address it. Once it's addressed, go to the source and get that issue out in the open. There is nothing like public humiliation. Let's get into what it's like to be a victim.
By Friday Vibes9 years ago in Viva
