Diary Of A Victim.

22

The candles in their hands shone brightly like the fire inside of a survivor. The fire in every women's eyes. The most courageous beings....

Hundreds of both women and men gathered today in honour of Delilah and all the other victims we doesn't know. Everyone's eyes shone in the dim light of candles they held.

I took out the mike and tapped twice before speaking. I closed my eyes and inhaled the air around me. My eyes filled with tears and my knees went weak. I gathered all the courage I could . I looked up at the night sky . I looked over at the croud and wondered how many of them must've been a victim to sexual and domestic violence. How many must've hidden it just because they are scared or because they didn't have enough support. I stared at the faces of women infront of me. I inhaled and exhaled again .

" My sister Delilah Westbrook was raped and murdered by four bloodthirsty criminals. A few months before I was lost . I didn't know what to do. My sister, my best friend. I couldn't imagine a world without her in it. I cried myself to sleep. You might think , just imagine what Delilah must've gone through. Yes, I know . I know it very well than anyone else in this world. She used to sit on the shower for hours because she thought she was dirty . Long gone was the carefree , crazy and happy girl who lighted up our lives. She wasn't the same again.

It was disastrous watching her tearing herself apart. But you know, she fought... She fought for the justice she deserved. That's when her life was taken away along with her dreams and wishes.

Hundreds of rapists walk around freely and victims are silenced because she can bring bad names to the family if she speaks up. After all, it was her fault... Wasn't it?

" She was drunk"
"Women say 'no' when they mean 'yes'"
" She was dressed like a whore. "
"She was asking for it".

We hear this a lot more, don't we?
Rape, is the most brutal and heartless of crimes. It attacks the body , soul and mind of one.
Do you know what is rape culture? You should know because it is the culture we are living in now and we don't even realise it. Normalising of rape and abuse and blaming the victim. We do it without knowing you know.

Rape jokes.... This shit delegitimize sexual violence. The victim's consent is violated because of these jokes and makes it harder for them to speak up.
When you hear humour that justify sexual violence ... PLEASE. CALL IT OUT.

You know what's more disturbing, one in three women worldwide experiences violence.

This society.... They teach us not to walk at night alone rather than teaching men not to prey on women.
Instead of teaching them to not drug a human, we're taught to never leave our drinks unattended or to be careful.
They ask us to cover ourselves so that they don't get tempted.
Everything is our fault. A women's fault.
It's our fault that we get raped.
Our legs are not doors that you can open and close as you wish.
Nobody has the right to walk over women, stamping on us with their dirty shoes over our purity until we reek of their sweat.
NOBODY CAN OVERPOWER US.

WOMEN HAVE THE POWER AND COURAGE TO GROW A BABY INSIDE HER FOR NINE MONTHS INSIDE HER. THE AUDACITY OF MEN TO THINK LESS OF US WHEN THEY GROW INSIDE OF US.

So, instead of asking ,

"what were you wearing?"

"Did you say no?

"Did you fight?"

"Why weren't you careful?"

SAY,

"I BELIEVE YOU."

"HOW ARE YOU FEELING.?"

"IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO?"

"WHAT DO YOU NEED".

Just remember again and again

RAPE IS NEVER THE VICTIM'S FAULT.

Let everyone know that your family is a safe place for them to express themselves. Teach everyone the importance of consent .

(Refered from an article)