Reddit Ask Women asked the following:
“Among women here who have experienced sexual assault, what fate do you want, most of all, for you attacker(s)?”
For me, this is the answer heard around the world…and was given by a Reddit user named http://www.reddit.com/user/twistyrockets
I thank her, thousands thank her, for putting into words what most cannot.
I also thank Join the Conversation for sharing it on Facebook so that those of us non-Reddit users could see it.
Thank you Andrea and Bless You twistyrockets…
Her answer:
I want them to be walking around in a public place, like a grocery store, and suddenly recognize what they did and dissolve into panicked tears. I want them to lie awake at night and spend hours replaying those scenes wishing through choking, pathetic sobs that they could change the endings. I want them to be terrified of being around the opposite sex because it might happen again. I want them to be so deeply ashamed of themselves that they truly believe their own parents would stop loving them if they really knew the truth. I want them to get the cold sweats and shakes whenever someone mentions the word “rape”.
I want them to look at other people who are happy, who have healthy and pleasurable sexual relationships, and feel broken. I want them to feel enraged whenever someone spouts off “just world” philosophy bullshit. I want them to avoid mirrors because they can’t stand to look at themselves. I want them to spend countless nights getting drunk so they’ll finally have the courage to commit suicide only to realize that they’re a coward (just like they already knew). I want them to spend 15 minutes of every hour in the handicap bathroom at work trying to calm themselves down. I want them to feel inescapable panic about half of the time they have sex for years after the fact. I want them to think about my face any time they’re feeling sexual pleasure or getting naked or masturbating and I want that image to crush any hope of arousal.
I want them to explain to a significant other, through hysterics, exactly what happened on those nights. I want them to fear being out in public because it feels like the truth of those experiences is written on their faces. I want them to spend years in therapy. I want people to tell them that their pain is not a big deal and that they should just stop thinking about those nights because honestly, what is it really helping? I want them to feel a deep, unabiding sadness when people tell women not to go out alone or drink too much or wear sexy clothing because they know it’s not going to help a damn thing.
I want them to feel like I know them better than anyone ever could because I was there, I know what they look like when they rape someone. I want them to feel like I’m inside them, all the time, mocking them for every failure, panic attack and sick day. I want them to believe that it’s always going to be like this. I want them to feel like trash, actual use-and-throw-away trash. I want them to feel angry and have no outlet for that anger except their own body. I want them to feel weak and useless. I want them to feel DEFINED by those experiences. I want them to feel like a monster.
I want them to feel like me.
All 3 of my monsters are dead and I don’t care.
LikeLike
and I love you…xoxo
LikeLike
Wow. I want to cry for this woman, right now.
LikeLike
I did. She posted a reply to her comments saying her recovery is going well and a big part of that is due to the overwhelming support she received after that post. If all we can do is share it, then that’s what we’ll do..xo
LikeLike
Damn this is one hell of a share… I’d want them to die a slow death with noone around to help them that they suffer for months alone… and when they finally succumb to their end I’d want to kick them into an ant hole so that the ants can’t eat them up…
LikeLike
that’s my second choice bulldog! thanks for being part of the army…xo
LikeLike
If I ever came across one, I’d tear him apart limb from limb…
LikeLike
third leg first 😉
LikeLike
Powerful post and I too shed a tear for her and all the other assault victims out there
LikeLike
Our tears will drown the bastards…another good alternative. Thanks Tink. xo
LikeLike
Powerful, strong and heartbreaking. I wish all those who have been so brutally victimized have the chance to live full,happy, loved and loving lives. It is the best revenge. To be at peace and proud and secure in your heart. Love you WW..
LikeLike
That’s a wonderful comment Mim…you’re right, that is the best revenge. And that is what we all need to work toward….wise woman you are SK…love you too.
LikeLike
I don’t understand why it happens – what is wrong with these men? I am so disturbed that this is so common/ I just don’t get it and I wish I could …
LikeLike
There is no understanding Jules. There just isn’t. xo
LikeLike
Wow…what a powerful and beautifully transparent share, and reading the comments, I echo what all has been shared here. She is brave. you are brave. We are all better when women are brave. love you Rhon. xoxo
LikeLike
That’s such a good comment Bonnie. Yes, we are ALL better when women are brave. Thank you my friend, love you too. xo
LikeLike
Mwah! Xoxo
LikeLike
Mway! 🙂
LikeLike