#whyididntspeak

"Mine very much has to do with feminism, as I have been deeply triggered by all the stuff happening in the media these last few years. (Being a public broadcaster when this was all going on probably made it harder than it needed to be. PS Cosby is getting a min of 3 - 10 years. Disgusting) Here’s one quote: They don’t realize this is a life sentence. And the one I’ve been using to heal these last few months during therapy: we are strong together. " #whyididntspeak #whyididntreport #sexualassault #trauma #hope #healing #kellyairhart #arttherapy #truestory #notmine https://www.instagram.com/p/BoYOCXjhoV1/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=b84z6torgned

"I didn't speak because he told me not to. He told me it would hurt other people's feelings and they would be mad at him. He told me they didn't need to know. I was too young to know any better, and by the time I had figured out it was wrong, I was too embarrassed to tell anyone. I thought I was gross. I thought I was a freak. I thought I was a pervert for not knowing better. He was family. If I told, it could destroy my family and everyone would be mad at me or him--and I didn't know what was worse. It still affects me today. I am paranoid with my kids being alone with other adults. As an adult, I stayed away from that side of the family because I was afraid he would be there and touch my children. I thought that if I stayed away maybe this would all just be a dream I could wake up from one day--that never happened. I have learned to forgive, but still haven't told. I still don't want to shatter other people's realities of a "perfect family man." I don't want to be the one people would be mad at. I still don't even want people to be mad at him. I feel so fucked up in the head. It hurts." #whyididntspeak #whyididntreport #trauma #sexualassault #healing #hope #standtogether #speakup #kellyairhart #arttherapy #truestory #notmine https://www.instagram.com/p/BoYOUpMhR_U/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=klhbq5f89dy0

My story began with an acquaintance. He was my friend’s ex-boyfriend, I had seen him around and he seemed nice enough. He was with a group that my group met up with when we were out drinking. We went to an after party at his place and continued to drink. I said I would sleep on the couch in the living room, no problem. He waited for everyone to leave before offering me his bed, he would sleep on the couch. I took him up on his offer and fell asleep. I woke up to him in the bed, pushing on me. I was still drunk, my arms felt like lead, I said no but I couldn’t fight him. When I got home I tried to process what had happened, what was happening in my head. A couple of days later I told my dad what had happened. I asked if I should take this to court. My dad told me that if I did, they would find all the people they could that I had been drunk around, flirty with, or had sex with and they would make me look like a slut. He said if I pursued it I would lose. And that is why I said nothing. #WhyIDidntspeak #whyididntreport #sexualassault #trauma #healing #kellyairhart #arttherapy https://www.instagram.com/p/BoYM0cvho16/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1uulmihdjpgfs

#continuedpost I hope you are still with me. I hope that you care and want to learn so you can be better and speak with compassion, judge less, and love more. Sexual assault is no joke. It leaves families broken. It leaves women and men feeling worthless and shamed. It is a heavy weight to carry as a victim. I hope by giving these women a safe place to share their stories I open your minds and hearts. I hope we can all be better and do better. Over 90% of reported sexual abuse cases are real. Don't let the 10% overpower the truth. They don't deserve that kind of power. We deserve to be heard. Women AND Men, we stand together! Keep safe. Know that you are loved no matter what and I am here for you. Let's change the world together. <3 “Bc he was a man of authority and I was told all my life I was nothing." #whyididntspeak #kellythoughts #metoo #whyididntspeak #VoicesRising #BelieveSurvivors #whyididntreport #trauma #kellyairhart #arttherapy https://www.instagram.com/p/BoYMkw3ByQK/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=r0xkph1ux2ab

Leaving all the "politicalness" out of this post. Leaving it far far behind. I want to speak to you today, purely about the trauma of sexual assault. I am compassionately hurting for victims of sexual abuse everywhere tonight who are reliving their worst nightmares over and over again because what is happening in the news. I am also devastated by the lack of knowledge that surrounds the recurring impact it continues to have on our society. Ever further more, I am shocked at the ignorance that is out there of impact trauma leaves on the human brain and body. Soooo...It is time to be educated social media world, of course with lots of love, because that is how this should be done <3 First, according to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC): -One in five women and one in 71 men will be raped at some point in their lives -In the U.S., one in three women and one in six men experienced some form of contact sexual violence in their lifetime -51.1% of female victims of rape reported being raped by an intimate partner and 40.8% by an acquaintance -52.4% of male victims report being raped by an acquaintance and 15.1% by a stranger -Almost half (49.5%) of multiracial women and over 45% of American Indian/Alaska Native women were subjected to some form of contact sexual violence in their lifetime -91% of victims of rape and sexual assault are female, and nine percent are male -In eight out of 10 cases of rape, the victim knew the perpetrator -8 % of rapes occur while the victim is at work Now let's talk briefly about trauma. Effects of Sexual Violence quoted from RAINN's webpage (RAINN stands for (Rape, Abuse, Incest, National Network): -Sexual violence can have psychological, emotional, and physical effects on a survivor. - Depression -Flashbacks -self harm -eating disorders -unwanted pregnancy - std’s -sleep disorders -suicides If you would like more information about RAINN or the services they offer to victims of sexual abuse, learn more at their webpage. Continued in next posts... #kellythoughts #sexualassault #metoo #whyididntreport #whyididntspeak #trauma #kellyairhart #artherapy https://www.instagram.com/p/BoYMPh6B3xD/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=17ruse65yrvv5