LET’S TALK ABOUT RAPE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT TODAY!!

I want to get on my knees
to scrub everywhere
but no amount of soap will make me clean
or get his actions out of my mind.
How do I cleanse myself from these cuts
that have now become scars?

Sex without consent is simply rape and rape is a heinous crime that destroy lives and it’s important that we all take a stand against it.
1 in 4 women is sexually assaulted or raped every day and this should not be the norm.
It’s important to understand that rape is not just a physical act of violence, it’s also a violation of an individual’s trust, autonomy and dignity.

Rape culture is when a society or environment whose prevailing social attitudes have the effect of normalizing or trivializing sexual assault and rape.

Most societies tend to label sexual assault allegations as drama.

· They blame a survivor for their abuser’s future abusive behaviour because they didn’t report them, instead of blaming the abuser.

· They refuse to believe a survivor without a conviction or charge against their abuser.

· They think that perpetrators are strangers in alleys and not our family and friends.

Rape culture encourages a distressing pattern where the initial response to victims who disclose their assault is often “why didn’t you report earlier?” Such questions do really contribute to victims not wanting to report their cases cause;

· They’re afraid of not being believed.

· The fear of the justice system.

· They thought they deserved it.

· They tried to talk it out but nobody listened.

· Intense feelings of guilt and shame.

“Because of trauma, when testifying in court survivors can struggle to verbalise their experience. This can eventually affect their ability to recount the details of sexual assault and thus the outcome of the case.
We need to fight for more courts where survivors can be heard.” – Rapecrisis.

Sexual assault, rape and sexual violence can have profound effects on our brains. It’s essential to understand the serious consequences this trauma can have on survivors. The brain undergoes significant changes the “fight-or-flight response which can lead to

· Feelings of fear, helplessness, depression and/or intense anxiety.

· Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD); where a survivor experiences flashbacks, nightmares and/or intrusive thoughts related to the event.

· Dissociation; where survivors may dissociate as a copying mechanism, feeling detached from their own bodies or experiences.

· Trust and Intimacy issues; sexual assault, rape and sexual violence can erode trust and make it challenging to form a healthy relationship and engage in intimate connections.

There’s no healing without acknowledging the presence of the injury. You will be fine. HEAL.

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I LIVE

The phase I was in weeks ago made me question my existence on earth “perhaps, has my time elapsed?” I have escaped a number of accidents for two weeks in a roll. I was on bed rest. Got back on feet and faced yet another accident day after day “I thought my life has come to an end.” “I could barely let food pass my throat; the fear-anxiety and the stress all over it of what becomes of me the next day was too much for my mind” “is death beckoning me?” I asked myself a couple of random questions just to be sure I was on a right spot - safe and sane “I must repent.” “Change my ways, stay sane even in the midst of the rumbling thunder that was ready to take over in my brain.” So I rose up, charged myself up “enough is enough.” My mother had already said a prayer of favor over me. She blessed me right from the day I was conceived. “You shall not die before your time, you shall live to fulfill your purpose on earth; No man anywhere will deny you of your dues, the harvest of your planting

AWAKENING: STORIES UNTOLD, STORIES UNHEARD AND STORIES UNREAD

Chapter one Correct me if I am wrong, but I remember all the words you like to say behind closed doors. She whispered in my ear “I take you as you are and you will be. I won’t try to change you but I will ride out change with you. I see you and I will never ask you to be less or more.” With words so charming and full of meaning, that’s how she destroyed me. I have been awed and terrified by the experience of being in love to the extent that when it’s love, I’d rather close the book and put it back on the shelf. I do not know how to hate no matter how much I have been wronged. I met Tuseke when I had gone for my usual check-up at the hospital. She was there to visit her grandmother who was gravely ill and on admission. She had asked for directions to get to the elderly female ward, that was just the same way to Doctor Mayepi’s office. My all time go to health practitioner. We walked hand in hand and talked about a few things on science and medicine. She hated being a

LETTER TO KAMBANI

Dearest Kambani, I write this note to you for there is an ache in my ribs. Your sugar-coated deceit made its way through and I felt like all the air left my lungs after I heard and read out all your lies. You said; “I will answer you before you even call to me.” Little did I know you were trying to memorize Jeremiah 33:3 on me. You said; “I will be your peace.” But; Don’t be my peace. I already have that. First, be at peace with yourself and everything around you. I know this note will make you remember the warmth of my touch, how it made your heart race, the joy you claimed I brought to you. I had mixed portions of happiness and loyalty between the things I love and you with a pinch of sugar to align the moments. That’s how much I cared. I am blooming in your absence after being trapped in the cage of your lies and deceit, after you sliced me a dose of pain and moments of tears. Leaving you came hand in hand with finding myself – Broken but Functional.

YOUR FOREVER LOVER

I normally don't let people in my space, But when it came to you, it was all different. "How is it that you fit so perfectly in my mind?" I want to love you like there's no tomorrow, And when tomorrow comes, I will love you all over again - Forever. There's no place that I won't go to find you on this earth, I will walk miles to find you. Just like wine and roses, You truly complete me; Never did I understand what true love is until I had you in my space. I will be your lover in sin and virtue from across lifetime.

WHISPERS AND PROMISES

In this story of mine you have always been the best chapter! I’d rather take all the storms than have all the sunshine days without you around! Though emptiness consumes me I surely will wait on time to lead me to you, for you hold the pieces that makes me whole! I met an angel; I saw it in your eyes with whispers and lost in your gaze making myself a promise to never let go of you!

LIVIA'S BOOKLET

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