When I reported my rape at age 21, two weeks after–in a cold, sterile, eerily quiet room; with the smell of him still, forever, in my nose; after my concerned sorority sister called my mom to tell her; and after all the viable evidence had been scrubbed away repeatedly, obsessively in scalding showers–the male police officer required me to take a polygraph test to prove my story was true.
As if my nightmares weren’t enough. And the shaking that wouldn’t stop. And the tiny, little death behind my eyes. The one that has yet to be resurrected 28 years later. Nearly three decades since he held that knife to my throat in the elevator that took me home, to my college apartment.
When I disclosed my childhood sexual abuse in my 40s, I thought it was solely for me. For my healing. For my heart. I knew no one would ever be prosecuted for the things I was made to do at age 10, 11, 12. I also knew I could not go through the questions and the polygraphs and the vivid, detailed recalls again. The sketches. The eyes that suggested a hint of disbelief. The scribbled notes. The remembered smells and sounds that woke me in a breathless panic at night, year after year after year.
But this truth I could not hold any longer. Not in my hands, not in my heart, not in my words. It was toxic within, eating away at me bit by bit.
Silence so often is.
I had to let it go.
What I now know is that the telling wasn’t just for me. It was for all of us who have first been harmed, then silenced.
It was my cry of solidarity.
#metoo
At 48, I still sleep behind a locked bedroom door, and Bob Seger’s “Night Moves” makes my palms sweaty. The just-right blend of body odor and the perfect, thick heat of a summer night makes my stomach churn, the bile rise. If someone playfully pulls on my ponytail, I am paralyzed.
I am not “fight or flight.” I am “play dead.”
Play dead.
Play dead.
It’s easy because a tiny piece of me already is. I have been well-conditioned by men who greedily took what was never theirs to have. At age 10, 11, 12. At age 20.
One man, I trusted. One, a stranger.
There are reasons why we don’t come forward until we can no longer be held back.
Or be held down.
Literally, figuratively.
4 Responses
Again, I applaud you for sharing your experiences. It is so hard for those of us who are lucky enough not to have shared something similar to know what it’s like to need to sleep behind a locked door. Some of us remain TOO trusting, naive, and are unscathed by a similar experience only because of dumb luck. I do need you to explain though the title of this blog because it sounds to me like you DID report it. Is this a hashtag that I’m unfamiliar with that other women who didn’t report their assaults and rapes are using? Thanks for the clarification. Hugs and tons of healing light to your sweet heart. dp
Dawn,
I reported my college rape. I did not report my childhood sexual molestation… and most likely never will… because I know firsthand how painful the reporting was. That’s where the title came from. XO
Thank you for sharing. The more women share these stories, I hope, the better for the rest of women. Here’s hoping the message is heard.
My brave beloved friend. How I hate that you come up with words that describe my pain.
You are right. This isn’t just about you- you are gifted with the words that describe so many of our hearts.
You go girlfriend! Your path to freedom is allowing the vomit to be released.
One of my triggers is the slamming of a door- might be at home or an elevator or an airplane. BUT this doesn’t OWN me anymore. Triggers may arise but I am walking in freedom now. I couldn’t get there on my own- I am thankful know a Heavenly Father Who has wrapped His arms around me.
Love you BIG!!!!