I’m an 18 year old girl and I was released from juvie six months ago. While I was locked up, one of the other girls on my pod forced me to have sex with her. I haven’t told anyone about this before now. It’s just freaking humiliating to have to admit that someone made me her bitch. Plus, what if they blame me? I keep imagining people will say, “Well, that’s just what happens when you do time.” God, I wish there was a way I could just forget that this ever happened so I wouldn’t have to deal with it anymore.
HELP YOURSELF:
- You are incredibly brave for sharing such a difficult experience. Sharing your story may help others as well, so thank you for trusting the TeenCentral community and coming to us for support.
- Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon to have these types of thoughts and feelings after an incident where you were forced to engage in something you didn’t want to do. Trying to forget it or make it not exist is often a natural response but one that can eat away at our mental and emotional health over time. If you click over to the HELP tab, you will find a ton of resources, including the National Sexual Assault Hotline, which is available 24/7. This hotline can help you to connect to your local advocacy group, which is filled with people who are specifically trained to help you to process this experience, and to guide you through your next steps, whatever you decide they are. Remember: If you are ever feeling unsafe, or that you are considering hurting yourself, please call 911, and/or go to the nearest emergency room for help!
- It must have taken a lot of strength to take the hugely important first step of sharing your story. Great job getting started in seeking connection and support to overcome this experience. One of the best sources of support are the already existing positive relationships in your own life. Is there a family member, friend or other trusted person who you would feel comfortable talking to about your experience?
WHERE TO GO FROM HERE:
- If talking to someone in your own life seems like too much at this point, you could try making a list of the people you could trust with this story and consider how you would bring it up in a conversation. What is the reaction that you’re hoping for? What questions will they ask you, and how would you answer them? Speaking up is difficult, but we can tell you’re resilient and strong by what you’ve shared with us here. It’s your story to tell, if and when you are ready to disclose what happened to you.
- Living through an experience like this can have long ranging effects. Feelings of embarrassment and shame can easily have a negative impact how you start to look at your life and yourself so it’s important to make sure we understand and cope with these types of feelings. If you are experiencing any other negative effects from this event, do you have positive coping skills or hobbies to get you through these moments?
- Often times when people go through tough experiences, especially ones they feel they may be judged for, they withdraw from others. Instead of feeling protected, they end up feeling alone and isolated. During difficult times, it’s important to surround yourself with people, places and things that make you feel happy. Who or what are the positive things that make you happy? We encourage you to take a little time each day to do something that makes you smile as you process and overcome this event. You can do it!
