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African Female

The last people you tell is your family members

The funny thing is, when I think about what I've said and what I've heard, when you have been sexually assualted, the last people you tell is your family members. Why? because you are feeling so ashamed, because you feel like everything is your fault. You start wondering why did it happen? Like, where did it start? And you are like, "Oh, maybe because people have been saying my skirt is too short; that must have been why." Or, "Maybe because people have been saying, oh, I put on way too much makeup; that must have been why." [...] Like it's my fault. So imagine how my mom would react if she finds out? Because she is the one who has been saying, "Please wear something longer; that is too short". So you feel like you betrayed them. But you didn't. It's not like you chose.

Recommendations

  • Ensure all sexual violence prevention and response education and training opportunities actively deconstruct victim-blaming, rape myths and gender norms. Ensure these sessions take an intersectional approach to understanding sexual violence and supporting victim/survivors.