Solidarity in Breaking the Silence- by Bradley University blogger Ashley

It’s never an easy move to make the decision to share the truth of your assault with a friend or trusted loved one, and it’s even harder to share this truth with “strangers” in your college community. Unless you attend a very small institution, the likelihood of even 15% of the school population recognizing you is slim. Regardless of whether we personally know each other or not, we are now united as a family larger than our parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, grandparents, etc. Just because we don’t know each other doesn’t mean we can’t support each other, right?

Unfortunately, there tends to be an overwhelming sense of disbelief when word gets around that someone is “claiming” to have been assaulted. Instead of first worrying about the victim, many people jump to blaming the person— “Oh, well how can we be sure that really happened? You know people lie to get attention.” I understand why so many survivors remain silent.

Even when it seems like so many people are against you, or simply so nonchalant because you’re not their friend or family, there are still many people ready to support you the minute you break your silence. On campus, if the opportunities are not already present, there are other ways to share your experience with others.

•  At this year’s Vagina Monologues, some women walked up and stated that they were a survivor or supported survivors. This sparked conversations after the show that resulted in survivors feeling less alone and others joining the fight to end sexual assault.
• If you’re a writer, writing a poem and sharing it at an open mic night is another platform to share. People learn what paths you’ve walked and view you as an even stronger person for speaking in a room full of (mostly) unfamiliar faces. You also never know who’s in the crowd and really appreciates your strength to speak up when they cannot.
•  Bring a survivor to speak on campus and share your story after their presentation. It’s not super easy to bring speakers to campus, but with the support of other campus organizations, this is one of the best ways to get other survivors on campus to share their experience, as well as reach the larger campus community. Hearing how someone has moved forward in life after their experience can ignite courage in so many others to break the silence.
•  During weeks dedicated to sexual assault prevention and education, consider having a table in a central location on campus. Not only can you educate your fellow colleagues in an informal way, but you can also share your story with those who choose to stop by and listen.

These are just a few ways that survivors can at least feel more comfortable with sharing their experience with the campus community. No one’s expecting you to walk on stage a week later and yell to the world that you are a survivor; healing takes time. You will heal even more and grow stronger the day you share your story. Your story is important and should be heard. You are a survivor.

Resurrecting your soul and you -by blogger Snehal Gajare

Rape is a devastating nightmare that comes with a set of soul piercing arrows in the life of a survivor. These arrows are full of humiliation passing through the mind, soul, body and the existence of the survivor making his/her life miserable. Yes, you read it right. Even men are subjected to rape by women or other men. Today, we are not discussing about rape. Instead, we shall discuss about how survivors of rape can resurrect themselves and others who have witnessed the same trauma.

Speaking about Rape can be a social  good:

All I want to say is that when a  rape survivor steps forward shunning the veil of shame falsely imposed by the society on him/her, this is a mere beginning of a revolution. This revolution is to bring in a positive change in the social arena thereby inspiring others to break their silence and fight for their right of living with dignity. This social whirlpool of aspersions and verbal slamming encircling the survivors can be squashed only when the rape survivors muster all the courage and challenge the social hypocrisy. It is well known that rape survivors often refrain from speaking publically about the sexual assault. It is often seen that most of the perpetrators are serial rapists who keep on repeating the offence over and over again. This is the probable reason as to why the rape survivors must report the sexual assault and save the lives of other innocent people who can be victims.

Come forward. Speak your mind and lead others:

The most heart wrecking incidences are the ones where rapes are reported, followed by criminal trials that often end up releasing the perpetrator for lack of evidence. Here justice is not only denied but buried deep within the courtroom walls. When survivors speak, we are bound by a moral obligation to help her/him in seeking justice. A public outcry can do wonders. As a survivor you can even pen your thoughts, experiences, feelings your resurrection story into a book that can serve as an inspirational story for others who wish to speak but are often caught into the clutches of blame, shame, social pressure.

Today, there are numerous organizations across the globe for helping the rape survivors. Approach them. Sharing your story with other peers can provide them a secured feeling that they are not alone and speaking up is going to help them resurrect themselves.