Our Spring series ends as it began, with a beautiful collection of poems from Jacqueline
What I Want to Tell Them When they Ask “What Do You Want us to Do?”
Aim talks us through their internal thoughts in response to those who judge how they’ve dealt with their trauma
She was Born for a Reason / Toxic Lies
GG’s powerful series of poems.
Card Games / Street Signs / The Grave
‘Anonymous Cat Mom’, who shared with us their story ‘Job Insecurity’ last week, follows up with these three striking poems.
Keep Out
An anonymous contributor shares with us their powerful words.
Art by Rhea Hanlon.
Job Insecurity
‘Anonymous Cat Mom’ shares with us their personal story of violence and survival.
We're Okay, Right?
Ledicia shares with us the words she wants to say to the person who assaulted her.
Art by Rhea Hanlon.
Remembering Trauma
This anonymous contributor shares with us a powerful, insightful prose on the concept of recovered traumatic memories that can never be completely confirmed or denied. They ultimately bring us to a fluid, open and comforting conclusion of validation and peace.
Art by Marianne Claire Bailon - @deadandrad
One Night a Bad Thing Happened
Steph Holloway’s touching poem shines light on the strength we should feel in our survival through the bad nights.
Art by Rhea Hanlon.
To The Ex-Boyfriend Who Raped Me
Tina writes a letter to her ex-boyfriend, recounting the ‘conquests’ of her sex life since him. What she comes to realise is not the liberation of fun sex, but something darker, drawing her back to try to regain control.
Art by Rhea Hanlon.
Seven Years
Seven Years responds to the idea that our skin cells are replaced every seven years and this is a body trying to navigate both the trauma of unwanted touch and a world that is not focused on supporting victims.
Felt/Love
Jacqueline shares with us two poems, ‘Felt’ and ‘Love’.
Art by Rhea Hanlon instagram.com/rhea_hanlon_art
Janet's Letter
I am here for me. I have a voice now. I don’t need anyone to rescue me. I have people that accept me and care for me and love me, and who I accept and care for and love. I sometimes forget all of that, but I have tools to help me remember. You aren’t the last word in my life. You aren’t even any words in my life anymore. You are just a ghost and you can’t hurt me anymore.
Do You Remember Me?
Tara-Renee shares with us an honest and upfront account about her daily struggle after sexual assault.
Time's Up
Emma talks us through her life of sexual violence, from sexual comments as a child to being assaulted in young adulthood.
White People: Listen Up
Anti-racism is a never-ending project. We must always strive to be anti-racist in our life and work. Stand up for Black and Brown people in your life and all around you.
Black people have been fighting for freedom for hundreds of years, from when they were first kidnapped from Africa by the British and enslaved in the new USA. None of our histories are innocent. Try to change that, be on the right side of history.
BLACK LIVES MATTER. THEY HAVE ALWAYS MATTERED AND ALWAYS WILL.
Survivors of sexual abuse: Remembering we’re not alone
Nujoji Calvocoressi, a member of the Victims and Survivors Consultative Panel at the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, helps us remember we’re not alone in these trying times.
Access to Records
Emma Lewis, a member of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse’s Victims and Survivors Consultative Panel, reveals how harrowing it was to finally access her childhood care records
Speak out and seek support
Sophie shares with us what happened to her three years ago. She reminds us “ just because you went home with someone it does not mean that is consent and I cannot stress enough how important it is to reach out if you need help and have experienced something similar.”
Letter to my Rapist
Taylor shares with us an open letter to her rapist about how their life was affected after the rape.