// If you Are Healing From Sexual Violence//

If you are healing from sexual assault and you get out of bed in the morning,
You are doing well.

If you are healing from sexual assault and you hold down a job,
You are amazing.

If you are healing from sexual assault and and you are still remotely pleasant to others,
You are a lot nicer than me.

If you are healing from sexual assault and you cannot always be there for a friend,
You are still a good friend and a strong enough person to know what is best for you.

If you are healing from sexual assault, and find it difficult to care for yourself, but still find the strength to care and love your family than you are strong as well.

If you are healing from sexual assault and you decide to tell your story,
You are brave.

If you are healing from sexual assault and you decide that you are not ready to tell your story,
You are also brave.

If you are healing from sexual assault and you cry daily or have nightmares,
You are normal.

If you are healing from sexual assault and seeing happy, healthy people makes you sad, angry, jealous and worse,
Join the club.

If you are healing from sexual assault and you decide to press charges against your perpetrator,
You have incredible courage.

If you are healing from sexual assault and you cannot or choose not to press charges against your perpetrator,
Your perpetrator is still the one to blame, and you are smart for knowing what you can handle.

If you are healing from sexual assault and think that what happened was your fault,
You are wrong, but you are not alone.

…

© 2009 Pandora’s Project
By: Shannon

(Full Text at Link)