Disrupt rape culture, speak out - LaToyaThompson.com

Content warning/Trigger warning: rape, sexual assault

What he did to me, I did not even call it rape. The way it played out… how I acted… what I said… how my body responded… No. I did not call it rape. I called it — Unfortunate. Upsetting. Uncomfortable. Not rape. My body had no bruises or scars. My vocal chords were not strained or hoarse from screaming for help. None of that. It happened to me though.

I did not speak of the rape until 10 years after it happened. No one knew. That confusing, foggy, mangled trauma was trapped in my brain and body. I thank God for the sexual assault and domestic violence shelter I received counseling from. They shone a light on the dreadful darkness within my soul.

Now, I will not be silent. What happened to me was rape. I am a survivor.

“Black survivors are overrepresented in experiencing harassment and violence. But they also are less likely to come forward and report, and that to me suggests that our systems aren’t working,” said Fatima Goss Graves, president and CEO of the National Women’s Law Center.

The organization teamed up with Time’s Up and “me too” International for a week of action that amplifies the voices of Black survivors.

Please see this news story about black women and sexual assault awareness.

Unapologetically myself,
LaToya

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