Rape Aftermath Quotes

“I love Sara, but something was taken from me at the church, something that she can’t relate to. Every time I walk outside I think maybe someone is going to grab me. I take a sip of a glass of water I got out of my own tap and swish it around in my mouth first, like maybe it’s a threat. And I’m starting to understand why Alex walks around on the balls of her feet, why her back muscles are always tensed, like a cat ready to spring.
She knows. She gets it. So that’s why I’m going to tell Sara that I’m okay and leave it at that.”
― Mindy McGinnis, The Female of the Species

“What I've discovered is that by keeping peace with those who hurt me, I had no peace. Rather, I was in turmoil. I suffered the aftermath of sexual violence. I am the one who has battled for my life.”
― Dana Arcuri, Soul Cry: Releasing & Healing the Wounds of Trauma

“Both [parents] knew how to fight for humanity's basic human rights: food, water, shelter, medical care. Figuring out how to provide emotional support for their raped daughter did not propel them into action the way the revolution did. On the contrary, it immobilized them, silenced them, left their lungs devoid of breath. 'Don't move, don't speak, don't breathe' had not only been my survival psalm during the rape itself, it became theirs in the aftermath.”
― Carmen Aguirre, Mexican Hooker #1: Art, Love and Forgiveness After Trauma

“With each thrust he was walking through my rooms, secret rooms -- so private. He had entered without a key or code. I was being raided. I was just a vagina.

He thrusted harder and faster, the doors to my rooms opening and closing, slamming and banging -- longing to shut him out.”
― Vanessa de Largie, Without My Consent